Kyle Larson captured victory in the opening night of the Chili Bowl Nationals preliminaries at Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Monday, securing his position in the Chili Bowl Nationals main event. The highly anticipated event featured a strong performance from the defending champion, with the Kyle Larson Chili Bowl Nationals triumph adding momentum to his quest for another Golden Driller trophy.
Larson Secures a Spot in the Main Event
Behind the wheel of the #1K sprint car, Kyle Larson, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and last year’s Chili Bowl Nationals winner, outpaced his rivals in Monday’s preliminary feature. By winning, Larson automatically qualified for the main event set for Saturday, where he aims to capture his fourth Golden Driller title, a coveted achievement in dirt midget racing. The action at SageNet Center drew a crowd of fans ready to watch Larson continue his impressive streak at the Chili Bowl Nationals.
Dominant Drives From NASCAR Stars
Kyle Larson, often called “Yung Money,” solidified his reputation by overtaking Cannon McIntosh on Lap 10 of the preliminary feature, then withstanding a late surge from Briggs Danner to cross the checkered flag first. This win marks Larson’s ninth career prelim night victory at this renowned event, underscoring his consistency and skill on dirt tracks.
Christopher Bell, also a prominent NASCAR competitor, piloted his self-owned #21CB race car to victory in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Race of Champions for a consecutive year. Bell led all 25 laps from pole position, fending off Shane Golobic’s final-lap effort to secure the win. Meanwhile, Hendrick Motorsports driver Larson started 10th in the Race of Champions and managed to finish in seventh place, showing versatility across multiple events on the same night.
Preliminary Results Set the Stage for a Thrilling Week
The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to deliver excitement in its 40th anniversary year, as drivers from across the world round out their qualifying runs at the SageNet Center. Monday night’s results set the tone for a competitive week, with the Warren CAT Qualifying Night scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, at 5 p.m. ET, promising more high-stakes racing and opportunities for dirt midget drivers to secure their spots in the feature event.
With anticipation building, fans and teams are closely watching standout names like Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Cannon McIntosh, Briggs Danner, and Shane Golobic, whose performances may shape the final outcome of this celebrated midget race. As the world’s biggest event of its kind rolls forward in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Larson’s momentum and relentless pursuit of another Golden Driller remain central storylines to follow.
Back-to-back Monday victories for @KyleLarsonRacin after a great duel with @BriggsDanner78!
Both drivers lock into the Saturday A-Main for the 40th #ChiliBowl powered by @NosEnergyDrink. pic.twitter.com/Ng7j3poQQg
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 13, 2026
🏁 New car, no problem. @CBellRacing wins the #ChiliBowl Race of Champions for the first time as a car owner. Interview presented by @TjForged. pic.twitter.com/rsh3yXg3jh
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 13, 2026
