Christopher Bell continued his run of success at the Chili Bowl Nationals by claiming victory in the preliminary feature on Thursday, January 15, at the Tulsa Expo Center in Oklahoma. Competing in his own #21CB car, Bell secured his place in the Chili Bowl Nationals main event, strengthening his bid for a fourth Golden Driller trophy and keeping the Christopher Bell Chili Bowl Nationals legacy alive.
Battling Through the Field at Tulsa Expo Center
Representing Joe Gibbs Racing, NASCAR Cup Series regular Bell marked the first outing for his self-owned team at the 40th annual Chili Bowl Nationals. Showing determination and experience, Bell overtook Ryan Bernal during a late restart with only five laps remaining in the preliminary race, maintaining his lead to cross the finish line first. This win marked Bell’s ninth career preliminary victory at the event and locked in his position for the main race on Saturday.
Among the top competitors was CJ Leary, who had started from pole position. Leary capitalized on the same late-race restart that benefited Bell and managed to pass Bernal to take the runner-up spot. Both Bell and Leary claimed guaranteed places in Saturday’s A-Main final of the Chili Bowl Nationals, joining an elite group of advancing drivers.
Results from the Hasty Bake Qualifying Night
Ryan Bernal rounded out the podium, followed by Spencer Bayston in fourth and Kyle Cummins in fifth. The remainder of the top 10 consisted of Tanner Thorson, Chris Windom, Karter Sarff, Jacob Denney, and Ashton Torgerson, each performing strongly in a competitive field of dirt midget drivers.
Other notable names at the Tulsa event included NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series racer Josh Bilicki, who participated in the 40th Chili Bowl Nationals but was unable to progress to the main preliminary feature. Adding to the roster of drivers guaranteed a spot in Saturday’s anticipated final were two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and defending Chili Bowl Nationals titleholder Kyle Larson, along with Briggs Danner, Blake Hahn, Hank Davis, Emerson Axsom, and Daison Pursley.
Looking Forward to the Final Prelim Round and Main Event
The excitement continues with the fifth and final preliminary round, known as the Hard Rock Casino Tulsa Qualifying Night, scheduled for Friday, January 16, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Fans can watch the action live on FloRacing as more drivers seek to secure their places in the main event. With Christopher Bell now firmly in contention, anticipation builds for the Chili Bowl Nationals main event, where he will attempt to capture another Golden Driller and enhance his impressive record at one of dirt racing’s most prestigious events.
🏁 @CBellRacing 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗦 a Thursday thriller from 8th!!
🔒 @CJ_Leary_ 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗦-𝗜𝗡 with him! What a race! pic.twitter.com/2L3oUR7Lx1
— 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗔𝗣𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 (@Walkapedia_) January 16, 2026
