Christopher Bell dominates Chili Bowl after a commanding performance at the 40th Annual Chili Bowl Nationals on Monday night at the Tulsa Expo Center, where NASCAR’s finest, including Kyle Larson, showcased their exceptional skills on dirt tracks. The evening featured impressive showings from top drivers, setting the stage for an event-packed week in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Bell Takes Charge with Early Victory in Race of Champions
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell began the evening by setting the fastest lap during time trials, which earned him the pole position for the Race of Champions. Piloting his No. 21 Rheem entry, Bell benefited from a favorable invert draw, giving him another front-row start—an advantage he put to remarkable use. Bell led all 25 laps, holding off a competitive lineup that included defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love, and ARCA Menards Series contender Kaylee Bryson.
This triumph marked Bell’s fourth Race of Champions win, equaling the record previously set by midget racing legend Sammy Swindell. Despite several previous attempts, Bell has never managed to win both the Race of Champions and the Chili Bowl Nationals in the same year, leaving fans wondering if this finally could be his breakthrough moment.
Kyle Larson Recovers to Take the A-Main
Kyle Larson, representing Hendrick Motorsports, overcame early difficulties in his Heat Race to secure the fourth starting spot in the 30-lap A-Main. Larson wasted little time moving forward, overtaking Shane Golobic, Briggs Danner, and Cannon McIntosh to claim the lead before the race reached its midpoint. The event brought further excitement when contact with Gaige Weldon caused Larson to briefly spin while maneuvering through lapped traffic.
Larson managed to escape the incident without significant damage and swiftly reclaimed his rhythm. Though opposition from Danner in the closing laps brought added tension, Larson maintained his composure and ultimately secured the win, underscoring his mastery of high-pressure dirt track competition.
Other NASCAR Drivers Make Their Mark
The excitement on Monday extended beyond Bell and Larson, as other NASCAR-affiliated talents also found success. Tanner Berryhill stood out by clinching a B-Main victory, boosting momentum for the week’s remaining races. Anticipation is building for Tuesday’s contests, with drivers like Ty Gibbs and Sheldon Creed ready to test their abilities on the demanding circuit. Saturday’s Alphabet Soup Day will cap off the racing week with a marathon session lasting over 12 hours.
Significance for the NASCAR Community
Monday night’s performances from Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and fellow drivers demonstrated once again how NASCAR-caliber expertise translates to the world of midget racing. Their ability to adapt and excel on challenging dirt tracks affirms their status as premier competitors and adds to the lore of the Chili Bowl Nationals at the Tulsa Expo Center.
It was a good night for the #NASCAR guys at the #ChiliBowlNationals on Monday, with @CBellRacing going wire-to-wire in the Race of Champions, and @KyleLarsonRacin winning his Monday Night Prelim.
(PS: @TannerBerryhill won a B-Main, too!)https://t.co/P8Dr9kPbuN
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) January 13, 2026
