Kyle Larson, the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series champion and a standout in dirt racing, will return to the SageNet Center in Tulsa to defend his title at the upcoming Chili Bowl Nationals, aiming to break new ground in his already-impressive Chili Bowl legacy. The Kyle Larson Chili Bowl record stands among the best, and fans are eager to see if he can claim a fourth victory at this storied midget racing event.
Larson’s Journey in the Chili Bowl and Recent Triumphs
Since debuting at the Chili Bowl in 2008, Kyle Larson has competed in the annual event 17 times and become one of the fiercest rivals on the dirt. Racing for Hendrick Motorsports in NASCAR, Larson has kept his focus sharp for this winter spectacle. In January, he managed to lead all 40 laps of the main event, starting from pole position with Paul Silva’s team, and clinched his third career Chili Bowl title.
Larson’s victory did not come without high drama. In the midst of the main event, he became entangled in a crash that caused his engine to stall briefly, but he was able to recover and resume his run in the lead. In the closing laps, he nearly flipped after drifting high along the outside wall—just as a loose sponsor banner triggered a caution, offering him the reprieve to maintain his advantage. This tension-filled finish resulted in the California native securing his third Golden Driller trophy.
Larson previously took home Chili Bowl wins in 2020 and 2021. With three championships, he now matches Christopher Bell, and sits just two trophies shy of Sammy Swindell’s record of five. Beyond his championship wins, Larson’s record includes eight preliminary feature victories and five heat race wins, displaying his consistent dominance over the years.
Overall, Larson’s performances in the A-Mains are marked by six top-five finishes and nine appearances inside the top ten. For the forthcoming Chili Bowl, he will pilot the No. 1 car with his own Kyle Larson Racing team, chasing a $20,000 winner’s purse on the temporary fifth-mile oval in Tulsa.
Star-Studded Field and Event Details at the SageNet Center
The 40th edition of the Chili Bowl Nationals is set to unfold from January 12 to January 17 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Larson will compete alongside fellow stars such as Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, Corey Day, Josh Bilicki, and Sheldon Creed in the elite dirt midget showdown. The highlight of the week—the A-Main—will crown the winner with the iconic Golden Driller trophy on Saturday night.
Chili Bowl Pre-Show to Showcase NASCAR Personalities
Kyle Larson is also slated to appear in a special live pre-show for the Chili Bowl, bringing added anticipation to race week. The lineup for these shows will see a rotating cast, including NASCAR talents like Christopher Bell, Carson Hocevar, two-time Chili Bowl winner Tony Stewart, and Chase Briscoe, sharing the spotlight each day before the engines fire up.
The event’s major sponsorship comes from Chili’s, which will support the live pre-show, broadcast coverage, post-race analysis, and debut a new FloRacing documentary series, Chili’s Road to Chili Bowl. This series will provide an inside look at the journeys of featured drivers en route to the prestigious main event.
Larson’s Busy Winter Racing Schedule
Before the Chili Bowl Nationals begin, Kyle Larson will also participate in the Tulsa Shootout, held at the SageNet Center. His demanding winter schedule includes competing in his High Limit Racing sprint car series’ annual international event at Perth Motorplex in Australia, ending December 30, before making his return to Tulsa for Chili Bowl week.
Significance of Larson’s Chase for a Fourth Title
Kyle Larson’s quest for a fourth Chili Bowl championship stands as one of the event’s most compelling stories, cementing his reputation within both NASCAR and grassroots dirt racing. The presence of figures such as Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, Tony Stewart, and others ensures fierce competition and widespread attention. With a rich history, intense rivalries, and major sponsorship, the 2024 Chili Bowl Nationals promise dramatic action, and the spotlight will undoubtedly be on Larson’s pursuit of history in Tulsa.
