Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell compete weekly on the NASCAR circuit, but they also have a healthy rivalry in the dirt ranks. They will aim to continue their on-track battles during a prestigious event in Oklahoma.
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According to FloRacing, the two dirt aces have both filed their entries for the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals. This is one of the biggest events in the sport, and it takes place at the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Jan. 12-17.
Larson, the reigning Cup Series champion, will drive for his own team while controlling the No. 1K. Bell will also drive for his own team while controlling the 21CB.
These two drivers have combined for six of the special Golden Driller Trophies. Bell won Chili Bowl Nationals three times between 2017 and 2019. Larson won in 2020, 2021, and 2025.
While Larson won the Chili Bowl to kick off 2025, he lost another dirt race to Bell earlier in January. The two drivers faced off during the Tulsa Shootout, and they delivered a photo finish for the screaming fans at the SageNet Center.
Bell had the lead in the closing laps, but Larson kept drawing closer with aggressive moves. The Hendrick Motorsports driver ultimately dove to the bottom of the track in Turns 3 and 4, taking the lead in the process, but Bell raced back by to take the win by a mere 0.188 seconds.
Each driver will now try to go for a fourth Golden Driller Trophy in January, but they will have to advance into the A-Main to put themselves in contention for the ultimate prize. This will not be a small feat considering a packed entry list with nearly 340 drivers.
These two Cup Series winners are not the only drivers from the world of NASCAR to take on the prestigious dirt race that kicks off 2026. Joe Gibbs Racing's Ty Gibbs will drive the No. 84 for CB Industries as he makes his second Chili Bowl attempt.
The entry list also includes O'Reilly Auto Parts Series veteran Sheldon Creed in the No. 94C for Ninety-Four Racing and O'Reilly rookie Corey Day in the No. 41 for Willie Kahne.
The prestigious dirt event will take place on Jan. 12-17, 2026. Fans can watch with a FloRacing subscription. One plan is $12.99 per month (billed annually) and the month-by-month plan is $39.99.
