Kyle Larson captured another Chili Bowl Nationals preliminary win on Monday night at the SageNet Center, storming from fourth to first to secure a spot in the championship event. This marks his second consecutive year achieving victory on the opening night, ensuring early advancement to Saturday’s 55-lap Midget car racing finale—highlighting his command of the competitive field.
Christopher Bell Also Shines on Opening Night
The evening echoed with familiar triumph as Christopher Bell clinched his own back-to-back win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Race of Champions, repeating his dominance at the annual invite-only competition. Both Bell and Larson—each three-time Chili Bowl winners—demonstrated veteran expertise on the tricky, temporary quarter-mile clay oval engineered specifically for this prestigious motorsports event.
Preliminary Feature: Larson’s Strategy and Execution
Larson started the 30-lap Monday preliminary in fourth, rapidly advancing to lead by the tenth circuit, while facing determined challenges by Briggs Danner and Cannon McIntosh. Several mid-race cautions, including a collision involving a lapped car, allowed Larson to capitalize on clear track space and maintain his lead. These clean racing moments proved pivotal for Larson’s successful run to secure his place in Saturday’s A-Main feature, racing against the top drivers of the week.
“Back-to-back Monday victories for @KyleLarsonRacin after a great duel with @BriggsDanner78! Both drivers lock into the Saturday A-Main for the 40th #ChiliBowl powered by @NosEnergyDrink. pic.twitter.com/Ng7j3poQQg”
– FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 13, 2026
Reflecting on the race, Larson explained some of the crucial turning points:
“My car felt good, and I was making decent decisions in traffic,”
Larson said.
“Then one lapper (Weldon) tried to rip back around me and then lane changed into (Turn) 3 and I tagged him. It kind of calmed the race down.”
– Kyle Larson, Driver
Looking ahead to the main event, Larson remained optimistic about his prospects for a fourth Chili Bowl victory:
“It’s good to be back in position for Saturday.”
– Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson noted his strategy if he is to repeat as champion:
“I think if we can get a good draw for the Pole Shuffle like we did last year and put ourselves on the front row or second row, we’ll have a good shot.”
– Kyle Larson, Driver
Bell’s Dominance in the Race of Champions
Bell, piloting the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, started from pole and led every lap in the 25-lap Race of Champions, outperforming challenges from runner-up Shane Golobic. For Bell, this fourth victory in the special event stood out as his first as an owner-driver, adding another milestone to his racing achievements.
Bell shared the intensity of the moment:
“This makes everything a whole lot more stressful,”
Bell said after securing his first Midget car win inside the SageNet Center in his own equipment.
“I was about ready to puke before the race. I was like, ‘Is it right? Is it wrong? What are we doing?’”
– Christopher Bell, Driver/Owner
The significance of the win held personal meaning:
“I think it just makes the triumph so much more rewarding.”
– Christopher Bell, Driver/Owner
Competition Builds Toward the Saturday Finale
Beyond the immediate victories, both Larson and Bell value the extra track time on the SageNet Center’s distinctive clay. Bell especially emphasized the importance of racing in the elite field:
“The Race of Champions is the cream of the crop,”
he remarked, adding his belief:
“It certainly feels like the Chili Bowl winner is going to come out of this race. It feels good to be on top. We’ll see. There is a lot of racing to unfold.”
– Christopher Bell, Driver/Owner
For both competitors, this year’s impressive performances set high expectations for Saturday’s finale. As the 40th Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink continues, all eyes remain on seasoned champions like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell to see if one of these familiar faces will emerge victorious. The next rounds begin Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET, with live coverage available for racing fans worldwide.
Back-to-back Monday victories for @KyleLarsonRacin after a great duel with @BriggsDanner78!
Both drivers lock into the Saturday A-Main for the 40th #ChiliBowl powered by @NosEnergyDrink. pic.twitter.com/Ng7j3poQQg
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 13, 2026
