The eagerly awaited NASCAR drivers Chili Bowl lineup for the 40th annual Chili Bowl Nationals Championship is finalized, setting the stage for a showdown featuring top competitors from the NASCAR Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Truck Series, and other prominent leagues. Racing fans will turn their attention to the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday, January 17, as the championship main event streams live at 10 pm ET on FloRacing.
Overview of the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals
Celebrated as the “Super Bowl of Midget Racing,” the Chili Bowl Nationals draws elite drivers from multiple racing disciplines, combining anticipation, skill, and fierce competition under one roof. The 40th edition continues this tradition, with the championship race hosted at Tulsa’s SageNet Center, a venue known for its electrifying motorsport atmosphere. After five nights packed with preliminary features, fans now have the complete breakdown of racers and starting positions for the upcoming feature races.
This annual event’s format is distinctive: the Saturday championship begins with early morning Q-Features at 9 a.m. CT, advancing through each lettered round up to the intense B-Mains, all culminating in the prestigious A-Feature championship. Recognized for both its unique structure and intense level of driving, the Chili Bowl challenges racers in short, fast heats that reward both consistency and daring maneuvers. Each progression through the alphabet format determines who earns a coveted spot in the main event.
Details on Championship Lineups and Key Drivers
The top spots are highly competitive, and this year’s pole shuffle introduces some of the most recognizable names in modern motorsport. Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and defending Chili Bowl Nationals winner Kyle Larson nabbed his place in the shuffle after finishing first during the week’s opening preliminary night. The draw for the starting 10 positions places Emerson Axsom, past champion Logan Seavey, Blake Hahn, and three-time Chili Bowl winner Christopher Bell in strong contention alongside Larson, promising a dramatic battle for the front row.
NASCAR’s presence extends well beyond the A-Feature. O’Reilly Auto Parts Series drivers Corey Day and Jesse Love will start B-Feature 1 and B-Feature 2 in ninth place, respectively, offering them a respectable chance to work their way forward. JJ Yeley, who has raced part-time in the Cup Series, is positioned fifth in C-Feature 1, while Joe Gibbs Racing’s Ty Gibbs—grandson of famed team owner Joe Gibbs—will tackle the 15th slot in the same race. Meanwhile, Sheldon Creed, representing the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series as well, starts from the 10th position in the E-Feature round. These drivers, along with others representing a mix of ARCA, Truck, and IndyCar experience, will compete through a gauntlet of 10- to 20-lap features from Q through B to earn advancement.
Complete Saturday Feature Schedule
Saturday’s format consists of a sequence of lettered features, each with specific lap counts and advancement rules. Here is the detailed rundown of the main events, ensuring that every round presents fierce competition for pole positions and transfer spots:
Pole Shuffle: Decides the first 10 grid positions for the 55-lap A-Feature final.
B Feature 1 and 2: Each runs 20 laps, with the top 7 finishers in each earning A-Feature starting slots.
C Feature 1 and 2: Both races are 15 laps long; the top 5 finishers proceed to the next round.
D Feature 1 and 2: Another pair of 15-lap races with five transfers from each advancing.
E Feature 1 and 2: 15 laps each, five transferring from both.
F Feature 1 and 2: 15 laps each, with the top five moving forward.
G Feature 1 and 2: 10 laps, top five transfer.
H Feature 1 and 2: 10 laps, top six in each transfer.
I Feature 1 and 2: Each 10 laps, sending six drivers ahead.
J Feature 1 and 2: Both 10 laps, again moving six drivers forward.
K Feature 1 and 2: 10 laps each, with six from each transferring.
L Feature 1 and 2: 10 laps, six drivers to advance.
M Feature 1 and 2: 10 laps, six drivers move forward per race.
N Feature 1 and 2: Both races are 10 laps, top six transfer.
O Feature 1 and 2: 10 laps, top six move on.
P Feature 1 and 2: 10 laps, six drivers from each event advance.
Q Feature 1 and 2: 10 laps to complete the alphabet soup, with six transfers in each rounding out the remaining fields.
What This Means for Fans and Competitors
The unveiling of the NASCAR drivers Chili Bowl lineup generates significant interest, as supporters eagerly anticipate how top names like Kyle Larson, Logan Seavey, Christopher Bell, Emerson Axsom, and emerging talents such as Jesse Love and Ty Gibbs will perform on Saturday. These lineups reflect a deep and varied field, highlighting the event’s ability to draw champions and rising stars from across the NASCAR universe and beyond.
The 2026 edition promises high-stakes competition and surprises as drivers fight through tough brackets in hopes of claiming the prestigious championship title. With the complete grid now established, all eyes turn to Tulsa for a celebration of skill, endurance, and the unpredictable drama of midget car racing at its finest.
