Chase Briscoe, a driver in the Cup Series, recently extended an offer to Tony Stewart, his former team owner, to take a seat at this year’s Chili Bowl Nationals. The event is set to take place at the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Stewart is attending as Grand Marshal but has no current plans to compete, despite receiving several invitations to race in the 2026 season.
Tony Stewart, a former NASCAR champion who won the Chili Bowl Nationals in 2002 and 2007, shared his thoughts during an interview with FloRacing ahead of the main event. He revealed that multiple offers have come his way to race, yet he prefers to rest and simply enjoy the experience this time around.
Chase Briscoe responded humorously to the situation, recalling Stewart’s past support:
“This guy is the one who offered the midget ride, I think I’ve asked him 3 years in a row now.”
Despite the invitations, Stewart emphasized his current intent to take a break rather than participate, stating:
“I am not normally a very good spectator, but the offers are coming from all sides. So ‘it’s gonna be nice to not do something. Somebody said, ‘What are your plans for next week?’ The plan is there really isn’t a plan. We don’t get an opportunity to do that, so I think we’re gonna enjoy this part of it this week.”
Other notable competitors in this year’s Chili Bowl include Kyle Larson from Hendrick Motorsports, who will attempt to defend his title against fellow Cup Series driver and three-time champion Christopher Bell. The Chili Bowl Nationals draws a deep field of drivers, making it a highly competitive event.
Comparing the Challenges of Daytona 500 and Chili Bowl Nationals
In a separate conversation with FloRacing, Tony Stewart compared the intensity and structure of the Chili Bowl Nationals to the Daytona 500, one of NASCAR’s premier races. Having competed in both events, Stewart highlighted the unique demands and excitement of each.
Stewart noted that the Chili Bowl attracts hundreds of entries, with drivers needing to advance through heat races to reach the main event. In contrast, the Daytona 500 features just over 40 cars competing in the season opener. The race format also differs significantly in length and strategy.
At the Daytona 500, drivers have 200 laps and a total of 500 miles, providing room to recover from mistakes such as a bad start or pit stop issues. Conversely, the Chili Bowl offers fewer laps and little margin for error, especially during the early heat races where even a poor start can affect final results.
Stewart summarized the high stakes at both events:
“There’s so many good drivers and teams out there that you really can’t afford to make a mistake in the Daytona 500; you can have a bad pit stop. You can get a pit road speeding penalty, and you can recover from it. It is very hard to recover from when the state gets chilly. It is a 380-person bar room brawl, and at the end of it, somebody is going to take home a golden driller.”
Details of the 40th Chili Bowl Nationals Event
The 40th edition of the Chili Bowl Nationals is scheduled for January 17, 2026, at the SageNet Center in Tulsa. The event’s pit gates open at 9 a.m. ET, followed by feature hot laps at 10 a.m. ET. This prestigious dirt track midget race is known for intense competition and draws a diverse roster of drivers from across racing disciplines.
With Tony Stewart participating as Grand Marshal and Chase Briscoe inviting him back behind the wheel, the event captures the ongoing connection between past champions and rising stars. Meanwhile, defending champion Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell will continue to add excitement for fans as they vie for the title. The Chili Bowl remains one of motorsports’ most thrilling and unpredictable contests, underscoring the enduring appeal of midget racing in American motorsport culture.
🙋🏻♂️ This guy is the one who offered the midget ride, I think I’ve asked him 3 years in a row now 😂 https://t.co/bA7m5AMCWW
— Chase Briscoe (@chasebriscoe) January 13, 2026
