The 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa have already stirred headlines, as Christopher Bell’s former team, Keith Kunz Motorsports, faces a major setback just as practice began. The event, critical for anyone involved in dirt racing, saw top contender Buddy Kofoid step away unexpectedly, shaking up Bell’s old squad and intensifying the competition’s unpredictable nature for both veterans and new entries in the famed race.
Early Challenges Shake Keith Kunz Motorsports Before the Main Event
Christopher Bell, known for his deep roots in indoor racing, started his journey on national stages with Keith Kunz Motorsports, one of America’s leading midget racing teams. Bell filled the seat vacated by Kyle Larson in 2013 and rapidly became noted for his skill and consistency in open-wheel racing, especially on dirt surfaces. Over the years, Keith Kunz Motorsports has developed a reputation for producing elite drivers and maintaining a powerhouse presence at events like the Chili Bowl, but this year, their luck has turned sharply.
As participants gathered for the 40th annual Chili Bowl Nationals, which marks four decades of the prestigious indoor dirt racing event, stability was undermined on practice day. Buddy Kofoid, a formidable talent since his 2020 debut and an ever-present threat in Tulsa, announced his withdrawal due to a medical situation. His decision left the celebrated No. 71W car unoccupied during one of the most scrutinized motorsport weeks in the US.
“Buddy Kofoid will vacate the seat of the Keith Kunz Motorsports No. 71W and sit on the sidelines during the #ChiliBowl as he focuses on a medical issue.Read more👇 https://t.co/BVc14euCOY— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 11, 2026”
In past years, Kofoid came exceedingly close to winning the coveted Golden Driller trophy, notably in the 2024 edition, highlighting both his drive and the pedigree of Keith Kunz’s operation. With his abrupt absence, the team opted not to field a substitute, citing logistical challenges and the late timing of this withdrawal with races already opening.
Bell Returns as Owner-Driver, Team Hunts for Stability
Christopher Bell, now 31 and a Chili Bowl legend in his own right, has pivoted from his long-standing association with Keith Kunz Motorsports for this season. Instead, he leads his own entry, piloting the No. 21 CB for Christopher Bell Racing, aiming to write a new chapter in his career while the team he once called home works to manage a depleted lineup.
Bell’s accomplishments with Kunz, including three consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals victories between 2017 and 2019 driving the iconic No. 71W, remain unmatched in recent event history. His efforts turned the Oklahoma native into one of the rare few to achieve a streak of such dominance, reinforcing his status as a giant in indoor dirt racing and cementing the Tulsa Expo Center as a ground where his legend was built.
After multiple stints for the team, including as recently as 2025, Bell’s 2026 approach brings a new dynamic to the racing landscape. Kunz and his staff, unable to secure a driver for the No. 71W at such short notice, must now watch from the sidelines as the competition heats up and Bell seeks a record fourth title, facing established rivals like Kyle Larson and a fiercely competitive field.
The Unforgiving Gauntlet of the Chili Bowl
The Chili Bowl Nationals are notorious for their demanding structure: competitors must advance through layers of initial heats, qualifying rounds, and several main events before reaching the showpiece A-Main on Saturday. This format leaves little room for error, as a single slip earlier in the week can make progress nearly impossible. Adding to the challenge is the stacked entry list, filled with top names from midget racing, sprint cars, and NASCAR circuits, all vying for one of short-track racing’s ultimate prizes.
Christopher Bell, reflecting on the difficulty and unpredictability of the Chili Bowl, spoke candidly to FloRacing about the event’s intensity and allure.
“You get a lot of top drivers from different disciplines and people that don’t compete against each other all the time,” — Christopher Bell, NASCAR Cup Driver
“The Chili Bowl is hard to win because so many things have to go right, and you have to be lucky, but I’m going to go and say you can’t be unlucky.” — Christopher Bell, NASCAR Cup Driver
The Tulsa Expo Center’s indoor dirt surface evolves constantly throughout the week, requiring drivers to make constant adjustments in car setup and driving strategy. The smallest mistake can send even the strongest contenders hurtling down the order, as both new talents and grizzled champions like Kyle Larson try to master the variables. The highly energizing environment—charged with anticipation from drivers, teams, fans, and insiders—underscores why the Chili Bowl remains a career-defining event.
Bell’s Quest for Another Golden Driller Amid Fierce Rivalries
Despite being a three-time Chili Bowl champion, the glittering Golden Driller has not returned to Christopher Bell’s trophy cabinet in recent years. After returning to dirt competition, aided by a policy revision at Joe Gibbs Racing, Bell now finds himself both reinvigorated and highly motivated as he pushes for a fourth title, this time as an owner-driver for his own team.
As the event officially begins with the Race of Champions in Tulsa, the absence of the No. 71W car from the grid leaves Keith Kunz Motorsports in a rare vulnerable spot. For Bell, the situation heightens his focus. His rivalry with drivers like Kyle Larson and the presence of proven talents from USAC midget events, as well as those recently transitioned from NASCAR and other racing series, create an atmosphere where the chase for victory is more open than ever.
Observers, including a broad American sports audience and passionate dirt racing fans, now wait eagerly to see how both Bell and the rest of the field adapt to the new look of the competition. With the schedule disrupted and the stakes as high as ever, any edge could tip the balance in a race where history is still being written every year.
What This Chili Bowl Twist Means for the Future
As the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals unfolds in Tulsa, the sudden withdrawal of Buddy Kofoid and the absence of a top-tier entry have already introduced new variables that could shape the race’s direction. For Christopher Bell, the departure of his former team’s lead driver removes a major competitor but does not ease the intensity of the task ahead. The mix of rising talents, established champions, and unexpected developments has reaffirmed why this event remains a highlight on the American motorsports calendar.
With the eyes of NASCAR, midget racing, and the broader sports community fixed on Oklahoma’s dirt racing spectacle, the challenge for Bell and his rivals is clear. The unpredictability of the 2026 contest could pave the way for new legends or the return of a familiar champion—and for teams like Keith Kunz Motorsports, it is a reminder that, in racing as in life, fortunes can change in an instant.
Buddy Kofoid will vacate the seat of the Keith Kunz Motorsports No. 71W and sit on the sidelines during the #ChiliBowl as he focuses on a medical issue.
Read more👇 https://t.co/BVc14euCOY
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 11, 2026
