On January 12, 2026, the rivalry between Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell took center stage at the Chili Bowl in Tulsa, where Larson’s attempt to surpass Bell ended in drama and disappointment. The Christopher Bell Chili Bowl saga added a fresh chapter, with Larson’s bold intentions undermined by on-track turmoil and Bell facing new personal challenges in his racing career.
Larson’s Ambitious Plans Hit a Roadblock
Kyle Larson entered the Chili Bowl Nationals with his sights set on besting Christopher Bell, fueled by their long shared history of competition. Before the event, Larson expressed his priorities for the race:
“Like right now, I don’t know, I don’t really think about the Swindells, I just, you know, Christopher and I have had a lot of battles, you know, in this building, but also outside of it, I would really like to just pass him and then worry about the Swindells, but no, so yeah, I haven’t really thought past much of just trying to get one more than him,”
he said.
Those words set the stage for a showdown, but reality had other plans for the Hendrick Motorsports driver. During Monday’s Heat 6, Larson found himself in the thick of trouble. As he headed into Turn 1, his car was tagged in the right rear, which caused a moment of chaos that nearly ended in a major wreck. Fortunately, Larson’s quick reflexes saved him from a rollover, and he managed to keep the car on track.
Despite the scare, Larson managed to recover and push forward, finishing sixth in the first segment and climbing to third in the subsequent round. He collected 101 points, which placed him ninth overall after six of nine heat rounds. While that was not the comeback he envisioned, Larson’s resilience kept him in contention as the high-stakes competition continued.
Larson’s campaign at the event demonstrated why, even when luck seems to be against him, he is always capable of mounting a fierce comeback. With several heats left and a packed field chasing the coveted Golden Driller trophy, every race point counted for the 2025 NASCAR Cup champion.
Shakeups in the Chili Bowl’s Opening Night
While much attention was on the Bell-Larson rivalry, other drivers seized their own moments of glory on the chaotic Tulsa track. Jake Andreotti earned the spotlight by driving from an eighth-place start up to second, amassing 123 points—a performance just two points shy of leader McIntosh’s 125. Gary Taylor Jr. pulled off another strong result, moving to the top of his heat for 110 points, earning him sixth overall at the close of the opening night.
These standout drives injected fresh drama into the points leaderboard, proving the event’s opening rounds were full of unpredictability and opportunity. The results reminded both fans and drivers alike that the Chili Bowl, known for its short-track intensity, can quickly shift momentum and determine a champion’s fate.
Christopher Bell Faces New Pressure as Owner-Driver
In the midst of the swirling competition, Christopher Bell entered the 2026 Chili Bowl under circumstances unlike any from his previous campaigns. Bell, a three-time consecutive winner of the event, previously raced with Keith Kunz Motorsports, but this year, he made a significant transition—competing in a car he assembled himself and shouldering the responsibilities of both owner and driver.
Reflecting on the unique burden this brought, Bell admitted,
“It’s gonna be more stressful than just driving,”
highlighting the increased pressure from managing his own operation alongside his performance expectations. He elaborated on his confidence in the past, saying,
“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, driver/owner
This shift in roles means that, unlike past years, Bell cannot rely on an experienced team to carry the load or smooth out the setbacks inevitable at the Chili Bowl. The new arrangement adds stress but also gives Bell full control and accountability on and off the track. Meanwhile, with his former team confronting its own hurdles, Bell’s focus remains fixed on navigating these pressures independently and carving out a new chapter in his midget racing career.
The Significance of the Chili Bowl Rivalry
The ongoing rivalry between Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson is woven deeply into the Chili Bowl’s recent history, elevating the event for both drivers and their sizable fan bases. This year’s developments intensified the narrative: Larson, fresh from a NASCAR Cup victory, grappled with setbacks yet showed determination in his attempt to dethrone Bell; Bell approached the event as both a proven champion and a first-time owner, facing new responsibility and expectation.
As more heats remain and a tight field continues to vie for the top spot, the story of the 2026 Christopher Bell Chili Bowl appearance is far from concluded. Fans and observers alike will watch closely to see how Bell adapts to his dual role and whether Larson can regroup to challenge for the coveted Golden Driller trophy. With the unpredictability that has come to define Tulsa’s midget racing showcase, the next chapters are certain to keep rivalries fierce and outcomes in doubt.
LARSON GOES AROUND! Trouble for "Yung Money" in Monday heats at the #ChiliBowl powered by @NosEnergyDrink. pic.twitter.com/W7QMA0EP0f
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 12, 2026
