Anticipation is building as NASCAR drivers in Chili Bowl action headline the lineup for the prestigious 40th annual Chili Bowl Nationals, scheduled from January 11 to 17, 2026, at Tulsa’s SageNet Center. The upcoming week-long race in Oklahoma will see eight top talents from the NASCAR Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and Craftsman Truck Series take on nearly 400 other competitors, all vying for the coveted Golden Driller trophy.
NASCAR Stars Prepare for a Highly Competitive Field
The 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals has garnered attention for featuring a select group of drivers with notable NASCAR backgrounds. The roster includes Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, Jesse Love, Sheldon Creed, Corey Day, J.J. Yeley, and Josh Bilicki, each bringing valuable experience from their respective national series. While these stock car standouts make up a small fraction of the overall entry list, their presence promises an elevated level of competition and fan excitement throughout the event.
Event Format and Schedule
This year’s event unfolds over seven days, beginning with a practice session on January 11. Five consecutive preliminary qualifying nights lead into the climactic championship races held on Saturday, January 17. The SageNet Center will open its doors to teams and fans each day, offering early morning access to the building and pit areas, followed by practice or “Hot Laps” sessions, and competitive racing in the evening.
The detailed schedule for the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals is as follows:
- Practice Day: Sunday, January 11 – Building opens at 7:00 a.m. CT, with practice starting at 9:00 a.m.
- Monday, January 12: 2nd Opinion Auto Center Qualifying Night & O’Reilly Auto Parts Race of Champions, with racing beginning at 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 13: Warren CAT Qualifying Night, racing also at 5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 14: York Plumbing Qualifying Night, races at 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, January 15: Hasty Bake Qualifying Night, competition starts at 5:00 p.m.
- Friday, January 16: Hard Rock Casino Qualifying Night, racing at 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, January 17: QuikTrip Championship Saturday, featuring early hot laps at 9:00 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. CT.
All the track action will be available via live stream on FloRacing, ensuring fans worldwide can follow the excitement from the Tulsa Expo Raceway.
Notable NASCAR Names and Their Chili Bowl Histories
Kyle Larson, honored among the top 75 drivers in NASCAR history, enters as a three-time Chili Bowl Nationals champion and the defending title holder. Larson first contested the event in 2008 as a 15-year-old and captured wins in 2020, 2021, and most recently in 2025. His established presence adds significant attention, as he seeks a potential fourth victory in Tulsa.
Christopher Bell stands out as another high achiever, taking three consecutive Chili Bowl wins from 2017 to 2019. Bell joins an elite group, being one of only four competitors to have recorded three or more overall victories at this famed indoor midget car event.
Ty Gibbs, who joined the lineup last year, impressed in his debut by qualifying and finishing 13th in the competitive Non-Wing Outlaw main event at the Tulsa Shootout. The presence of experienced names like Jesse Love, Sheldon Creed, Corey Day, J.J. Yeley, and Josh Bilicki further strengthens the NASCAR contingent at the race.
Former driver and accomplished owner Tony Stewart, also a past winner of the Chili Bowl in both 2002 and 2007, will participate as Grand Marshal this year, deepening the NASCAR connection and celebratory atmosphere.
Legacy and Significance of NASCAR Drivers at the Chili Bowl
NASCAR’s involvement in the Chili Bowl Nationals highlights the event’s significance as a proving ground stretching beyond traditional stock car circles. NASCAR drivers have not only participated but thrived, achieving repeat victories and elevating the profile of the weeklong spectacle. With the likes of Larson and Bell as multi-time champions, and the addition of current Cup Series and O’Reilly Series stars, the 2026 edition demonstrates the evolving and unifying landscape of American motorsports.
The integration of champions from various NASCAR divisions alongside dirt and midget racing specialists ensures that every night of racing in Tulsa will carry a unique blend of talent and rivalry. Motorsports fans, both in Oklahoma and worldwide, are anticipated to tune in for a showcase marked by high-caliber competition, legacy-building moments, and enduring cross-discipline storylines.
