Over the years we have been blessed to meet so many wonderful people because of racing. It is a tight knit group and they become our extended family. We may only see them at a few events a year but we pick up as if it were only yesterday that we last spoke. Then there are some events that just stand out and they are the DON'T MISS events of the year. Our Family, the Hahn family, have been blessed to have one of those DON'T MISS events. Who knew some 34 years ago it would be ONE OF THOSE events?

After talking to so many people over the years, we have heard so many try to discribe this event and that is a tough one to try and explain and to truly capture all of the dynamics of such an event. But, we have heard it compared to a recipe, since it is "THE CHILI BOWLNATIONALS" It is hard to duplicate some recipies because of the ingredients are either unknown or no longer available. Just like THE CHILI BOWL NATIONALS, would not be the same without Sammy Swindell and the crowd booing him and his crooked grin and wave. Tony Stewart, winning 2 Golden Drillers and has now graduated to driving a tractor so he is still involved. An then, we meet a fan and her husband. They live in Tempe, AZ but are at all of the DON'T MISS events, Ellen and Joe Ellis. Ellen taking photos and handing them out to everyone the next time she sees them. Oh, and you can't forget the famous fudge. Every year, Ellen passing the fudge around, even to those in the tower. I've heard she brings 40 lbs of fudge to the Chili Bowl event each year.

Ellen, you have been a very important ingredient to the making this crazy thing in Tulsa, The Chili Bowl Nationals what it is. It takes a lot of ingredients and you have been one of them. We have enjoyed the friendship, the photos, the fudge and making sure Joe is right there. You have helped anytime help was needed.

So, with all of this said, Thank you Ellen Ellis for being a special ingredient to our Chili Bowl. We want you to know you are loved and appreciated by so many, the Hahn family is among those. Please accept this DRILLER as our SPECIAL acknowledgement and THANK YOU for what you have added to the Chili Bowl Nationals all these years.

Signed and from Emmett and Fuzzy Hahn and Donna Hahn Harris, May 18, 2019.

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Leslie Russell Rutherford from Facebook said "Many great photos she gifted Troy and I through the years! I believe she hand knitted a baby blanket for Logan when she was born! Which I still have! What a beautiful giving lady?? Wishing Ellen a lot of peace in this time of her life. My best to her and Joe

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KO Kevin Olson said on Facebook: I sure will miss this wonderful woman who always had a smile on her face. For so many years I enjoyed her walking up to me at a racetrack with a couple of pictures she had taken and laughing and talking with me. She called me about a month ago with the shocking news of her illness and said she had no regrets about not going to make it much longer as she had a wonderful life. I thought of her often since then and am so glad to have had the priveledge of knowing her. RIP Ellen you were the greatest! John Doherty from Facebook: Rest in Peace Ellen, you were a big part of the SCRA and later the USAC/CRA when I was with the Argo Race Team....I will miss not seeing you at the 2020 Chili Bowl as well.

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Steve Eckert from Facebook: The world is less without her in it, but better for her having been. What an absolute treasure of a soul. ~Peace Forever Ellen~

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Jim Viviano from Facebook: I�m so sorry to hear this. I loved Ellen. I looked so forward to our hug every year at The Chili Bowl. I will miss her smiling face and incredible warm heart. Racing has lost the best ambassador ever. Ellen is at peace now. RIP ELLEN.

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Darleen Hauber Dils from Facebook: I am so sorry to hear this. Hoping our many prayers was helping. But now prayers for Joe and family/friends. We all loved her so much. Happy you got to go visit and she also made that big effort to get to the track. We loved you Ellen. Many great memories. One great lady.

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Bryan Gapinski from Facebook: A great race fan and a great person!!!!

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Michelle Dykstra Jones from Facebook: RIP Ellen - May you rest in peace. You will be dearly missed. Not sure there was ever a time that she didn't have pictures in hand for Davey.

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Jack Brown from Facebook: Our Racers in Heaven are building their fan-base� They just got #1! What a fantastic lady! God Bless Ellen!

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Kim Lafond from Facebook: This planet just lost an angel. Godspeed sweet Ellen. Sending love to Joe.

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Sherri Spencer from Facebook: I'm so heartbroken..I'm glad she isn't suffering any more, but the world won't be the same without her. We all have such wonderful memories of her, and of course our dear Joe..So sad.

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Lealand McSpadden from Facebook: Prayers to Joe my friend and a racing fan has gone to heaven, words can�t say how I feel. RIP Ellen

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Danny Sheridan from Facebook: Thoughts and prayers are with you Joe, Ellen was an amazing woman and will be missed dearly..

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Richard Baker from Facebook: May she reap her rewards in Heaven. Prayers go out to Joe and all that knew her. Special Angel !

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Dennis Rodriguez from Facebook: This breaks my heart. I really love this lady. Always so nice to my family and always had pictures for me. Love u Ellen Ellis!

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Jimmy Sills from Facebook: Sure gonna miss that lady. Thanks for all the pictures smiles and hugs.

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John Redican from Facebook: What a special lady. She always brought a smile to our faces when We saw her. So loyal to all the sprint car folks

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Harlan Willis from Facebook: So sad to hear this news. My heart goes out to Joe, they are such a special couple. Ellen cared so much for all her special friends and she loved all of us. Heaven is definitely a better place with her there. So sorry Joe.

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Seth Wilson From Facebook: I still have an envelope or two with pics from Manzi and Ventura she had given me ...She will be missed ...

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Carey Davis from Facebook: Will miss my racing friend, spent many years sitting beside her on the top row at Manzy. You will always be remembered as a special lady and friend. Enjoy your new forever home.

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Keith Bryan from Facebook: We will miss her ,she�s in gods hand s now. No more hurting rip

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Mark Passerrelli from Facebook: Sad day she was a Wonderful person always had a smile..

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Tony JonesFrm Facebook: Our condolences to Joe and the family. Prayers for their comfort.

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Calvin Landis from Facebook: What a wonderful lady. All those pictures are great too. She sure supported racing.

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David Landis from Facebook: She was the ultimate fan! One of first to arrive, last to leave and treated everyone like family! She was a very dear friend to the Landis family including my grandpa the late "Judge" Landis. They will have some wonderful conversations at the race tracks above. Thx you for all your love and support Ellen Ellis. You will be greatly missed.

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Travis Cooley from Facebook: Such a sweet lady. The good Lord definitely called another angel home . She will be deeply missed

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Kim Hughes From Facebook: RIP Ellen.. You will be missed my friend. We sure loved those pictures that you always took.

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Laurie Sertich Fom Facebook: Ellen will be truely missed -- whenever we pull out those little white envolopes with the sticky notes with our names on them... we will reflect on how special of a lady Ellen was. God Speed Ellen..

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Jd Cormack from Facebook: Prayers and strength for Joe as he has lost for his beloved partner. We in the racing world have lost the most caring and giving family member that will be missed by many. Her gifts of photos that she gave to all will be an everlasting moment in our lives. Condolences to the VanLiew and Ellis' families???and all of her friends.

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Jeffrey Lee from Facebook: My heart is hurting at this moment, words can�t express how lost I�m feeling, Joe & Ellen were like my 2nd Parents growing up, I spent more time with them on weekends at the tracks around AZ and late night dinners at Big Apple or Denny�s then I did at home. When I couldn�t go with my Dad, I went with Joe & Ellen. I thought I loved racing as much as anyone, then I met Ellen... By far the greatest race fan I have ever met! The amount of time and money she spent going to the races, taking pics, developing those pics, and passing them out to the drivers, teams, and fans is staggering! She had her favs, but she truly loved and cared for every driver she saw/met and every person she met in racing. If you ever were handed an envelope with pics of you or your fav driver, you knew this. This was her way of giving back to our sport and the people she loved so much. I miss you so much Ellen... Rest In Peace. Save me a seat up there, and some of those butterscotch candies!

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Johnathon Henry from Facebook: This just breaks my heart! Such a sweetheart!! At a loss for words. ?? Prayers and hugs to all family and friends!!! GodSpeed Ellen!!

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Debi Supan from Facebook: Ahh Terry, I met Ellen and you about the same time. She use to send me photos for SpeedMedia. She was always so fun and cared for everyone. May she rest with the angels now.

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Jody Hewitt from Facebook: Our heart breaks! Our thoughts and prayers to Joe. No more pain! RIP Ellen!

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Steve Ostling from Facebook: So sad to hear this... aside from being a super sprint car fan, she was one of the nicest and friendliest people that you would ever meet. The world needs more people like Ellen. My condolences to Joe and family.

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Gayle Davis from facebook: So so sorry to hear the news. She was such a wonderful woman and will be truly missed. Our prayers are with you Joe.

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David Allen Jones from Facebook: A true lady. she will be missed !

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A Note form British friend George Rimmer: Hi Ken & Terry - many, many thanks for the update on Ellen and her celebration which is a fanatic idea. I'm sure you know that I would wish more than anything to be there, but it's simply just not possible at the moment with the way things are here right now. However, I have a couple of things to run by you .... Myself and two mates Mark Kelly & Tony Flynn would like to send over a trophy or award to be presented in Ellen's memory at the races that night. We could call it ''Ellen's English Trophy'' or something similar, in recognition of everything she did for us at Chilli Bowl, and also for so many other people over here. I know I was her main ''English person'' & friend, but from a racing angle she really did so much for lots of other people over here. She actually had quite a following of English friends and fans, and her UK Christmas card list was almost as big as her American one! Her impact on racing here was quite significant too, as she really helped bring sprint cars to a wider audience. Without Ellen we'd never have got out there to the races so often, or got to know so many wonderful influential people, plus she introduced us to drivers who eventually came here to race (and vice versa). In addition to this, Ellen was also an endless source of valuable information and resources with regard to spreading the sprint car gospel!

From a personal point of view and away from racing, without Ellen our family would have never got to visit Arizona or see so many wonderful sights in the U.S. on our vacations. She became a real true friend to Susan, and knew our lads from when they were both babies, and was always interested in their lives & well being, right into adulthood. They genuinely looked upon and regarded Ellen & Joe as their 'unofficial' American Aunt and Uncle!

The other thing was - can I possibly write a few words or tribute that could be read out or passed around at the restaurant gathering? or alternatively, do something for the race programme that night? It's just a thought, but I feel absolutely helpless being so far away here, and I really just want to do something to illustrate our love and recognition of this amazing lady who changed our lives.

Thanks for listening Ken & Terry - you are such wonderful friends and have really helped me / us through this difficult time of loss.

Let me know what you think about the trophy idea.

George & X from Susan.

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From Rip Williams when he sent her the gold sprint car ring after he found out she lost hers: Ellen: My way of saying "Thank You" for all the years of friendship....

And the wonderful photos throughout my career, they will be cherished by me & my family for years to come....

You're in my thoughts & Prayers...."Rip"

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From Jim Viviano to Lealand McSpadden - Enclosed is a check for Ellen Ellis Hard Charger award. Thank you for your efforts in Ellen's Memory. We all miss Ellen and I now I'll sure miss seeing her at next years Chili Bowl.

It won't be the same not seeing her smiling face and getting a big hug. I have to say I'm tearing up as I write this. That's a testament for Ellen's effect on me. Her friendly way and big Smile always put me in a good mood. The open wheel commuity has lost a legend in Ellen Ellis.

I sure miss you on the racetrack Lealand. Hope you are doing well. Enclosed is a copy of a photo Ellen sent me about 27 years ago of a few of my photos she had hanging on her wall. Other photos of the night you won at Susquehanna, PA on the 1992 CRA Tour.

I look at these every day and smile thinking of th "GOOD OLE DAYS" Thanks Jim

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ENGLISH MEMORIES:

REMEMBERING ELLEN: (From George & Susan Rimmer, Liverpool, England:

The term 'Life Changing Experience' is used so often these days, that the true meaning of those words can sometimes get lost in translation. However, when we first got acquainted with our beloved Ellen Ellis over here in England, I can say with 100% certainty that it really was an absolute 'life changing experience'!

Many of you there today will know of Ellen's 'English connection' but possibly don't know just how well known she was in the oval racing world on this side of the pond. It all began way back in the late 1980's when I wrote to the great Tempe' Tornado to ask for an autographed photo. Like the true gentleman he is, Lealand quickly replied and also very kindly sent a terrific 10 x 8 signed photo which I still cherish today. The other thing he did was pass on my letter to a lady by the name of Ellen Ellis who wrote us a really nice letter along with a 'whole bunch' of photo's, programmes, decals, and other sprint car material. She even sent a tiny 'Tempe Tornado' bib for our new born baby! From that day on, our lives were never quite the same ever again. We became what used to be called 'pen pals' and would exchange letters on a monthly basis for many years, until the internet came along and those letters then became E-Mails and it went to a weekly basis!

Looking back to those early days, it's difficult to convey just how much this was appreciated here in England as it was long before the on - line era, and trying to get racing information from the U.S.A. could take many weeks or even months. Ellen was our lifeline and kept us up to date on everything happening in the sprint car world which I would then share with other like - minded English fans. She would also send us a funny little fanzine called 'Wagtimes', which kept us up to date and made us feel 'involved'. Three decades on, and we are still friends and in touch with many of the group members and feel both proud & privileged to still consider ourselves as 'Honorary' Wagtimers.

In 1994 an opportunity came along when Ellen invited us over to the Copper World at Phoenix International Raceway. At the time I had a very demanding job plus two small boys, but my wonderful understanding wife Susan said that I should go, along with another good racing pal Gary Picken. In all honesty, I really couldn't afford it, but we worked a lot of extra hours over Christmas & New Year and that paid for the flight. I'll never forget nervously walking out of Phoenix airport and meeting Ellen & Joe who were waiting for us. They were so warm and friendly and instantly put us at ease. Most people would hold up a sign with a name written on it, but Ellen was holding aloft a chequered flag and a copy of 'Open Wheel' magazine! As we got into Joe's huge Cadillac I said to Ellen 'will we see Lealand race this weekend?' The reply was 'Oh sure, and you’ll be sitting next to him at the restaurant tonight'. Yes, in true Ellen style, she had arranged a huge dinner and had invited just about every big racing name or 'legend' who was in town that weekend for the Copper Classic. A typically wonderful gesture from the little lady with the biggest of kind hearts.

That was the first of several visits to Phoenix and the 'Ellis Hacienda' as Wags used to call it, and that also led to several later trips over to the Chilli Bowl in Tulsa which were always amazing experiences. Every trip, Ellen would somehow work her magic and find us a room in the much sought after Expo' Motel, along with tickets which were so hard to obtain. For us 'Brits', the lady from Tempe was the absolute epicentre of Chilli Bowl and was our 'go to gal' whenever we were there - I simply cannot imagine another trip to Chilli Bowl ever being the same without her being there.

From a personal point of view and away from racing, without Ellen our family would have never got to visit Arizona or see so many wonderful sights in the U.S. on our American vacations. Ellen and Joe took us to places we could only dream about like the Grand Canyon, The Hoover Dam, or Las Vegas plus some incredible road trips throughout the AZ and CA states. She became a real true friend to Susan, and genuinely cared about our lads from when they were both babies, and remained constantly interested in their lives right into adulthood. Even now, they still genuinely look upon and regard Ellen & Joe as their 'unofficial' American Aunt and Uncle!

We all know that I was her main "English person" & friend, but many American people probably won't be aware or realise just how much she did for lots of other people over here in the UK. Mrs Ellis actually had quite a following of English friends and fans, and her British Christmas card list was almost as big as her American one! Her impact on racing here was quite significant too, as she really helped to bring sprint car racing to a wider international audience. Without Ellen's input we would never have got to know so many influential racing people, plus she introduced us to several American drivers who eventually came here to race (and vice versa). There is now a huge amount of interest in Sprint Car racing in the UK, but back in those early days it was Ellen Ellis who was an endless source of valuable information, assistance, and resources with regard to spreading the sprint car gospel!

Our last conversation was back in late May when we called her from Pennsylvania where we were on a short holiday. It was a very emotional and tearful experience to say the least, but she sounded so brave and upbeat throughout our chat. This will come as no surprise when I say that her main concern was that she could no longer send me my copy of Sprint Car & Midget magazine! (Nothing could illustrate Ellen's caring and unselfish nature more than that). Sadly we cannot be there today as you all celebrate the life of this amazing lady who changed and touched all our lives, and actually feel just a little 'helpless' being so far away over here. We are with you all in spirit however, celebrating and remembering our beloved Ellen's wonderful life and reliving those cherished memories.

RIP "The Photo Lady" - there will never, ever be another one quite like her!

Footnote: With the invaluable help of Ken Wagner, myself and two other UK racing mates Mark Kelly & Tony Flynn, we have organised an award to be presented in Ellen's memory at the races tonight. We've called it "Ellen's English Trophy" in recognition of everything she did for us at Chilli Bowl, and also for so many other people over here.

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Gayle Davis from Facebook

What an amazing lady who will forever be remembered. We met Ellen in 93 at El Dora. I don't know anyone who loved racing more than her. We had the prevlidge to visit at Joe and Ellen's home and were amazed at all her photographs throughout the years. She will hold a special place in our hearts. Charlie was so honored to be a part of the memorial lap for Ellen. I know she was with us all smiling as always.

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Kim Lafond from facebook

Ken, as usual, what a beautifully written piece. Also the words from George Rimmer were so heartfelt and touching. I had no idea of Ellen's influence on the other side of the pond. She truly was an amazing woman. We are all blessed to have had her in our lives.

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