NASCAR drivers at Chili Bowl made a big impression as the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals unfolded at Tulsa‘s SageNet Center from January 13 to 18, drawing attention from millions of motorsports fans. The event, regarded as the pinnacle of midget car racing worldwide, once again became a fierce battleground for both seasoned veterans and new talents from NASCAR’s ranks eager to capture the prestigious Golden Driller trophy.
This year’s Nationals brought back title defender Kyle Larson, who headlined a group of popular NASCAR figures including three-time winner Christopher Bell, reigning 2025 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love, Ty Gibbs, Sheldon Creed, Corey Day, J.J. Yeley, and Josh Bilicki. The broader NASCAR Regional and ARCA Menards circuits were also represented with promising names such as Gavan Boschele, Jake Johnson, Brayton Laster, and Ryan Roulette.
How NASCAR Drivers Stacked Up at the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals
Kyle Larson entered the 2026 Chili Bowl as the reigning champion, making his 18th attempt at the event. Larson’s journey started with a seventh-place finish in the opening Race of Champions, later reclaiming the spotlight with a commanding win in Monday’s preliminary A Main. Despite starting fourth, he moved to the front by lap 10 and held off persistent challenges from Briggs Danner and Cannon McIntosh, even overcoming drama with lapped traffic that required focus through several cautions.
“My car felt good, and I was making decent decisions in traffic,”
said Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Series champion, after weaving through Monday’s action. He added,
“It’s good to be back in position for Saturday.”
With this preliminary win, Larson secured a direct route into Saturday night’s championship race—his 12th appearance in the event finale.
Christopher Bell Makes Triumphant Return and Win
Christopher Bell, a native of Norman, Oklahoma, was another NASCAR superstar to make headlines. Already a three-time Chili Bowl champion, Bell opened his 13th attempt by storming to a flag-to-flag victory in the prestigious Race of Champions, becoming a four-time winner of the event. Impressively, he achieved this success for the first time as both driver and car owner, showcasing his technical expertise and competitive prowess.
“This makes everything a whole lot more stressful,”
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing driver and car owner, shared after his emotional win.
“I think it just makes the triumph so much more rewarding.”
Bell will tackle his preliminary qualifying night on Thursday, hoping to build on his early-week momentum.
Jesse Love Rejoins the Action
Jesse Love, fresh from his 2025 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship, returned to Tulsa for the first time since 2024. Piloting a car prepared by Alex Bowman’s crew chief Blake Harris, Love aimed to improve on his previous best—13th in a B Main back in 2021. Though Monday’s Race of Champions saw him finish 16th, he remains a focused contender as his qualifying night awaits on Friday.
Ty Gibbs Continues His Midget Racing Growth
Second-year competitor Ty Gibbs, 2022 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion, showcased significant progression since last season. Starting the week with a runner-up result in his heat and a fifth in his qualifier, Gibbs ultimately finished 14th in Tuesday’s A Main. His ability to move forward in tough competition highlighted his ongoing adaptation to the midget racing sphere.
J.J. Yeley’s Longevity and Experience Stand Out
Veteran driver J.J. Yeley marked an impressive 30th Chili Bowl campaign. With a past eight championship feature appearances, including a dramatic charge from F Main to third overall in 2004, Yeley remains a fixture inside the SageNet Center. On Tuesday night, he secured a front-row start in the A Main after a solid showing in the heats and qualifiers, rounding out the night 10th overall.
Sheldon Creed’s Eventful Debut
Sheldon Creed, competing with the Haas Factory Team in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, made his first Chili Bowl attempt this week. An experienced dirt racer from North Carolina’s Millbridge Speedway, Creed advanced through his heat and qualifier, clinched a B Main victory, and gained entry to the Tuesday A Main before ultimately retiring from the feature.
“‼️ @sheldoncreed wins B-Main #2 to get into the Prelim A-Main in his Chili Bowl debut!#ChiliBowl | @NosEnergyDrink pic.twitter.com/UnOVdNBflr
– FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 14, 2026”
Strong Showings from Corey Day and Gavan Boschele
Corey Day, set for his first full NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season with Hendrick Motorsports, marked his fifth Chili Bowl experience by finishing sixth in Wednesday’s A Main. Day excelled in his heat and qualifier, translating consistent speed into a competitive main event performance.
Meanwhile, Gavan Boschele impressed as he notched a heat win, battled through B Main adversity, and finished eighth in Tuesday’s feature. Driving a car owned by two-time NASCAR Cup Series champ Kyle Busch, Boschele continues to build his reputation among the sport’s elite.
New Entrants: Jake Johnson, Brayton Laster, and Ryan Roulette
Jake Johnson entered the week as a Chili Bowl rookie, backed by veteran car owner and two-time Chili Bowl champion Cory Kruseman. Brayton Laster, a dirt racing regular on the ARCA Menards Series, prepared for his series debut in a car owned by Zach Boden. ARCA competitor and U.S. Air Force pilot Ryan Roulette also made his Tulsa debut, piloting a car for Brian Buckwalter. These rookies added fresh excitement to the roster, contributing to the Nationals’ reputation for blending new and experienced talent.
Where to Watch and Stream the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals
The entire week-long spectacle of the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals is available exclusively via FloRacing’s digital streaming platform, the official home for NASCAR Regional coverage. All five preliminary evenings, along with the championship finale on Saturday, January 18, are being broadcast live, allowing fans nationwide to follow every twist and turn as NASCAR drivers at Chili Bowl compete for midget car racing’s top prize. There is no traditional television broadcast for the event, emphasizing the importance of online streaming for motorsports enthusiasts.
Event Schedule and Ongoing Highlights
FloRacing’s coverage began Monday, January 13, tracking every segment from the opening Race of Champions through each qualifying night and extending to the dramatic Saturday night championship. The packed schedule ensures maximum exposure for both established stars like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell and promising newcomers making their first marks in Tulsa.
The presence of so many high-profile NASCAR competitors continues to boost interest in the Chili Bowl Nationals, further cementing Tulsa as the winter destination for motorsports action. As results unfold and more drivers earn spots in Saturday’s A Main, anticipation only grows for a dramatic finish in this classic event.
Significance and What’s Next for NASCAR at the Chili Bowl
The continued success of NASCAR drivers at Chili Bowl highlights the cross-pollination between top-level stock car talent and grassroots midget racing, energizing both fanbases. With champions like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell in the spotlight and emerging stars gaining invaluable experience, the Chili Bowl remains a proving ground and showcase of rising and established talent alike. The rest of the week will see competitive drama build, as these drivers aim for the championship feature and the coveted Golden Driller, ensuring NASCAR’s presence stays strong in one of racing’s most electric arenas.
𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 🎤 @KyleLarsonRacin breaks down his record ninth #ChiliBowl preliminary win, his heat race scare and more in this winner interview presented by @TjForged. pic.twitter.com/FzlAn3KayK
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 13, 2026
🏁 New car, no problem. @CBellRacing wins the #ChiliBowl Race of Champions for the first time as a car owner. Interview presented by @TjForged. pic.twitter.com/rsh3yXg3jh
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 13, 2026
‼️ @sheldoncreed wins B-Main #2 to get into the Prelim A-Main in his Chili Bowl debut!#ChiliBowl | @NosEnergyDrink pic.twitter.com/UnOVdNBflr
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 14, 2026
