The Daytona 500 is more than one month away, but several NASCAR drivers are getting back into racing shape by taking on the Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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This "Super Bowl of midget racing" pits hundreds of drivers against each other for the coveted Golden Driller Trophy. Among this group will be multiple Cup Series champions, an Xfinity Series champion, and a Daytona 500 winner.
Notable NASCAR Chili Bowl Participants:
- Kyle Larson (Silva Motorsports No. 1K)
- Christopher Bell (Kunz/Curb-Agajanian No. 71W)
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (CB Industries No. 86X)
- JJ Yeley (Petty Performance No. 3J)
- Kyle Busch (Kyle Busch Motorsports No. 51K)
- Ty Gibbs (CB Industries No. 81)
These NASCAR drivers have a wide-ranging amount of experience on dirt and at the Chili Bowl, in particular. For example, JJ Yeley has competed in the Chili Bowl Nationals since the 1990s and has secured a podium finish. If Yeley can reach the Championship A-Main, it will mark the ninth time in his racing career.
Gibbs is the opposite example. He has zero experience at the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He will drive for CB Industries, one of the best teams in the building as he gains crucial experience.
Busch, much like Gibbs, has never competed in the Chili Bowl Nationals. However, he has experience on the iconic dirt track. He has competed in the Tulsa Shootout that precedes the Chili Bowl Nationals for several years.
Stenhouse has a similar amount of experience to Yeley. He has competed in the prestigious week of dirt racing for several years, and he has reached the Championship A-Main on eight occasions. He will seek another appearance while partnering with CB Industries.
Larson and Bell are the two heavy-hitters in this group considering their past success in the Super Bowl of midget racing. The 2021 Cup Series champion has won two Golden Drillers, and he seeks his third this season.
Bell, who made his return to dirt racing in victorious fashion at the Tulsa Shootout, has three Chili Bowl titles on his resume. He will try to contend for another during a busy week in his home state.
These Cup Series drivers will compete in the prestigious event, but they will not be the only ones with a presence in it. Alex Bowman and Chase Briscoe will field entries as they chase the Golden Driller Trophy. They just won't be behind the wheel.
The Chili Bowl Nationals take place on Jan. 13-18. Qualifying will take place on Jan. 13-17. The feature races will begin on Jan. 18 at 9 a.m. CT. The main event will begin Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. CT. FloRacing will provide coverage for all of the action.
