Christopher Bell, who races for Joe Gibbs Racing, will experience a fresh challenge at the Chili Bowl Nationals in 2026 as he takes on the event not only as a driver but also as a car owner. The annual race is set for January 12 to January 17, unfolding at the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Bell has already achieved champion status three consecutive times between 2017 and 2019.
Historically, Bell has driven for Keith Kunz Motorsports—one of the most successful teams at this event—earning his place among just four competitors to have claimed three or more Chili Bowl victories. However, this time Bell has assembled his own entry, signifying a major shift in his approach. Instead of representing an established team, Bell will take on the dual responsibilities of managing and piloting his car, marking the first time he participates at Tulsa as both owner and competitor.
Coping with the Added Pressure of Ownership
This transition to owner-driver has changed the event’s emotional landscape for Bell, introducing a sense of anxiety alongside his usual preparation. Speaking to FloRacing, Bell described the different kind of stress that comes with assembling and entering his own car:
“It’s gonna be more stressful than just driving. Whenever you show up to drive for Keith, you know the car is going to be good. He has such a historic career there that you the car is gonna be good. You just gotta do your part driving.”
— Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Driver
He went on to elaborate on how the various responsibilities of managing his entry add new layers of expectation:
“So, for me, going down there for the first time with my own equipment, I gotta drive good. On top of that, the car has to handle well. The wheels can’t fall off. All that stuff gives you more stress. But, you know, I am at a point in my career where if I go out there and never win another Chili Bowl, I am satisfied. I am just going there for fun,”
— Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Driver
This move is the culmination of months spent putting his own program together from the ground up, with Bell emphasizing how different it is to shoulder all aspects of preparation. It underscores not just his desire to keep competing, but also to experience the event from a fresh, self-driven perspective.
The Special Meaning Behind the Chili Bowl
Bell’s connection to the Chili Bowl Nationals runs far deeper than his string of championships. Growing up in Oklahoma, the event was more than just a race—it was a dream scenario for a young motorsports enthusiast. Reflecting on these early ambitions, Bell said:
“As a kid, I remember dreaming of competing in the event,”
— Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Driver
“I never thought that I would be at the level of winning it. And now, it’s special. It really is a huge part of why I am where I am today.”
— Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Driver
This year, Bell enters the competition with his own No. 21CB midget, a car built with hands-on support from his father-in-law. The collaboration has allowed Bell to reconnect with the excitement he had as a child, offering a new kind of satisfaction that extends beyond victory on the track.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter in Bell’s Racing Career
As the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals approach, Bell’s story represents both a nod to the event’s legacy and a bold leap into new territory for one of its champions. The combined stresses of being an owner-operator and a competitor will test his ability and composure under heightened scrutiny. Beyond the pursuit of another potential title, Bell’s experience this year centers around rediscovering the pure joy of racing at an event that first inspired him as a kid in Oklahoma. The motorsports community—and Bell’s most loyal followers—will watch closely to see whether this new chapter deepens his already storied relationship with the Chili Bowl Nationals or adds a new layer to his journey in racing.
🌶 @CBellRacing heads back to the #ChiliBowl in a role he’s never had before at the event.
He spoke to us about building a program from the ground up during our #RoadtotheChiliBowl presented by @Chilis. pic.twitter.com/QtuSy1NqF3
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 10, 2026
