How NASCAR drivers dominated the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals was a thrilling story of strategy, skill, and fierce competition. The race, held in Tulsa, saw some of NASCAR’s biggest names taking on the dirt track with incredible results. From the reigning champion’s third Golden Driller trophy to rookies making a splash, this year’s Chili Bowl was full of surprises. Who rose to the top and who faced tough challenges?
Key Highlights
- Kyle Larson led all 40 laps in the A Main, securing his third Golden Driller trophy with strategic patience and composure.
- Christopher Bell showcased adaptability by winning the Race of Champions and finishing 10th in Saturday’s A Main.
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr. climbed from 15th to 8th in the A Main, demonstrating competitive spirit and strong preliminary performances.
- Ty Gibbs advanced through multiple features, highlighting his potential and resilience in his debut performance.
- NASCAR drivers displayed tactical skills and strategic racing, crucial for navigating the intense competition of the Chili Bowl Nationals.
Kyle Larson Triumphs at the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals
In a display of remarkable skill and tenacity, Kyle Larson emerged victorious at the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals, securing his third Golden Driller trophy. The prestigious event, held annually in Tulsa, Oklahoma, saw Larson, a celebrated NASCAR driver and 2021 Cup Series champion, once again affirming his expertise on the dirt track.
Larson’s path to victory began on his qualifying night, where he clinched a vital win in the A-Main, locking himself into the championship feature on Saturday. Despite starting fourth in the preliminary event, he encountered early challenges, slipping back to seventh.
However, his tactical patience and adept use of timely cautions allowed him to climb back into contention. With eight laps remaining, Larson navigated into third place, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
A significant caution with five laps to go enabled Larson to close the gap on leaders Shane Golobic and Cannon McIntosh. Larson’s skillful driving saw him overtake McIntosh and prepare for a decisive move on Golobic.
“The yellows definitely helped, I think it just kind of brings the pace down. People get kind of moving around, track is a litter dirtier, you get out of your rhythm. So yeah, it helped me.
“We just found a way, which was nice, but we’ve still got to get a lot better for Saturday.” – Kyle Larson
🏁 @KyleLarsonRacin wins the first prelim Feature of the 2025 #ChiliBowl presented by @NosEnergyDrink!@ShaneGolobic also locks in to the Saturday @cbnationals finale! pic.twitter.com/fFfyKsXGBf
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 14, 2025
A late-race caution halted their battle, leading to a green-white-checkered restart, which Larson capitalized on to secure his advancement to the main event.
On Saturday, Larson’s fortunes continued as he started from pole position, leading all 40 laps. Despite contact with a lapped car and a brush with the wall, Larson maintained his composure, fending off a determined Daison Pursley to claim victory.
“All three (Chili Bowl wins) are different. The first one was just a big hurdle to get over mentally I feel like to get a win in here finally. Then the next year meant a lot because we didn’t have the best car that race but we played defense really well.
“Tonight, the track was challenging to make a lap by yourself, so when you can win a 40-lap race on a track that challenging, it’s pretty cool.” – Kyle Larson
Reflecting on his win, Larson noted the challenging track conditions, highlighting the significance of mastering such an environment.
Christopher Bell and His Strong Performance
Although the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals presented formidable challenges, Christopher Bell displayed his exceptional talent on the dirt track, reinforcing his reputation as a versatile and skilled driver. Competing in Joe Gibbs Racing‘s No. 20 Toyota Camry in the Cup Series, Bell highlighted his expertise during the Monday night Race of Champions, an exclusive event bringing together elite drivers from the dirt racing world.
Bell’s mastery was evident as he clinched his third victory in the Race of Champions with ease. Starting from the pole after an invert, he led unchallenged throughout the race, reflecting his deep affinity for the venue. “I freaking love this place, man. It is the greatest,” Bell expressed with enthusiasm, capturing the thrill of competing amidst fervent fans.
“I’m just glad I get to be here with all you great race fans. This is just so much fun, so much fun to come back and run these dirt cars.” – Christopher Bell
Continuing his momentum, Bell excelled on Thursday’s qualifying night, winning his heat race after starting fourth. His calculated drive in the qualifier saw him advance from fifth to second, earning a fourth-place starting position in the evening’s A Main.
Demonstrating tactical expertise, Bell overtook polesitter Tanner Thorson on Lap 9 of 30. However, Thorson reclaimed the lead with eight laps remaining. A late caution introduced a green-white-checkered finish, where Ryan Bernal slipped by, relegating Bell to a third-place finish.
On Saturday night, Bell faced a tougher challenge in the A Main, starting from 12th. Despite his efforts, he ascended only to 10th by the end of the 40-lap feature.
Other NASCAR Drivers Competing at the Chili Bowl
Amidst the fierce competition at the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals, several NASCAR drivers displayed their skill on the dirt track, each aiming to leave a mark on this prestigious event in dirt midget car racing.
Particularly, Josh Bilicki and Brent Crews both initiated their Chili Bowl campaigns with resolve and tenacity, showcasing the versatility and adaptability required in such a grueling event.
Josh Bilicki commenced his qualifying night with a commendable performance, finishing second in his heat race to Shane Golobic. His subsequent seventh-place finish in the qualifier placed him in a challenging B-Feature, where he concluded in 11th place.
On championship Saturday, Bilicki’s talent was evident as he started from the pole in the second H-Feature, securing a victory to advance to the G-Feature. Unfortunately, his Chili Bowl expedition ended there, with a seventh-place finish, narrowly missing out on a transfer spot.
Brent Crews, meanwhile, experienced a tumultuous Monday night, initially flipping during his heat race. Demonstrating resilience, Crews emerged victorious in the initial C-Feature, subsequently winning his B-Feature to earn a spot in Monday night’s A Main.
Starting 17th, Crews climbed impressively to finish fourth, highlighting his competitive spirit. However, his aspirations were curtailed on Saturday due to an accident in the second B-Feature, resulting in a DNF.
Both Bilicki and Crews exemplified the resolve and skill characteristic of NASCAR drivers, each making a valiant effort to navigate the complexities of the Chili Bowl’s demanding format.
Ty Gibbs’ Chili Bowl Debut
Ty Gibbs commenced on his inaugural Chili Bowl campaign with resolve, tackling Tuesday’s qualifying night with vigor. Starting last in his heat race, Gibbs highlighted his drive by marching to a fifth-place finish, earning him a spot in one of the evening’s four qualifiers. His performance underlined his readiness to compete in the prestigious event, even as a newcomer to the Chili Bowl.
Despite facing seasoned competitors, Gibbs’ eighth-place finish in the qualifier secured him a starting position in one of the B-Features, where he ultimately crossed the line in ninth place. This expedition through the ranks was marked by notable achievements, illustrating his potential on the dirt track. His progression through the event was a proof of his racing skill and adaptability to the unique challenges presented by the Chili Bowl.
Key highlights from Ty Gibbs‘ debut include:
- Heat Race Recovery: Started last and advanced to fifth, showing early promise.
- B-Feature Battle: Began in eighth, finishing ninth, demonstrating resilience.
- G-Feature victory: Led from the pole to win, advancing to the F-Feature.
- F-Feature Effort: Charged to sixth, just missing the cut for the E-Feature.
Gibbs commenced his championship Saturday from the pole of the following G-Feature, which he won decisively, advancing to the next F-Feature. Throughout the competition, he consistently charged through the field, ultimately finishing sixth.
Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s Chili Bowl Results
Following Ty Gibbs’ promising debut at the Chili Bowl Nationals, attention turned to the performances of NASCAR veterans Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Both drivers, renowned for their skill on asphalt, took on the challenging dirt at the Tulsa Expo Center with varying degrees of success.
Kyle Busch began his stint with a commendable performance during his qualifying night. Starting from seventh, he managed to secure a second-place finish in his heat race, setting the stage for a favorable position in his qualifier.
Despite a solid start, Busch slipped to seventh place, landing on the pole for the initial B Main. With significant stakes to secure a spot in Friday’s A Main, Busch faced difficulties, finishing seventh, and consequently, missing the cut.
On Championship Saturday, his passage from the secondary F-Feature saw a brief resurgence as he moved up to third, but his advancement halted at the second E-Feature, where he finished 14th, ending his Chili Bowl run.
In contrast, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s campaign was marked by a strong preliminary performance. He surged from third to win his heat race, and his fifth-place finish in the qualifier secured his place in Friday’s A Main.
Starting 15th, Stenhouse exhibited tactical skill, working his way up to finish eighth. However, his efforts on Saturday fell short as he climbed from 14th to eighth in the second B-Feature, just missing the coveted A Main entry.
News in Brief: NASCAR Drivers Dominated the 2025 Chili Bowl
The 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals exhibited the impressive skills of NASCAR drivers, with Kyle Larson’s victory highlighting the event. Christopher Bell delivered a strong performance, further intensifying the competition. Several other NASCAR drivers, including Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., participated, adding to the event’s excitement.
Ty Gibbs made his Chili Bowl debut, marking an important step in his racing career. The presence of these drivers emphasized the growing intersection between NASCAR and grassroots racing events, enriching the sport’s competitive landscape.
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