At the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals, NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace singled out Santino Ferrucci as his personal “hero” after a memorable evening at Tulsa Expo Center. The event, a highlight for fans and racers of midget cars, brought together acclaimed names from across disciplines, with Wallace making the “Kenny Wallace Chili Bowl Nationals” experience central to his praise.
Wallace Salutes Ferrucci Following Breakthrough Performance
This year’s Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa featured a unique mix of Cup series champions, dirt racing experts, and ambitious young talent, with everyone aiming for a coveted place in Saturday night’s A-Main and a chance to bring home the iconic Golden Driller. Wallace was present throughout the week, making his rounds through the infield, meeting with drivers and their teams.
A focal point of attention was Santino Ferrucci, the full-time IndyCar driver from AJ Foyt Racing. Now 27, Ferrucci has been steadily building his skills on dirt surfaces, taking part in his sixth Chili Bowl attempt. His consistent efforts finally culminated in a remarkable milestone.
On Friday, Ferrucci achieved his first career victory at the Chili Bowl by taking the checkered flag in Heat Race 2, spending all eight laps at the front after starting from pole position and holding off Logan Seavey, a two-time Chili Bowl winner. Adding a layer of meaning to the win, it happened on team owner and legendary racer AJ Foyt’s 91st birthday.
In celebration, Wallace shared a photograph on social media with Ferrucci and the Abacus Racing team and expressed his admiration:
“My hero @SantinoFerrucci 😁”
– Kenny Wallace, NASCAR Veteran
Ferrucci Responds and Faces Challenges in Tulsa
The good spirits extended both ways, as Ferrucci responded after Wallace praised his run earlier in the week:
“You the man.”
– Santino Ferrucci, IndyCar Driver
Despite his heat race win serving as a bright moment, Ferrucci faced difficulties throughout the rest of the event. He lost ground in his preliminary race, slipping from third to ninth, and an untimely engine issue prevented a successful charge in the B-Main, ultimately dashing his chances to compete in Saturday’s A-Main feature.
Wallace Receives a Warm Ovation from Fans
Away from the racing action, Wallace shared his appreciation for passionate fans inside the Tulsa Expo Center. While walking around the building, he was greeted by a chorus of supporters calling his name, prompting him to stop, wave, and interact with the crowd.
Memorable Moments from the Chili Bowl A-Main
Though Ferrucci’s run ended earlier than hoped, Saturday night’s A-Main saw Emerson Axsom of Swindell SpeedLab capture his first Golden Driller. Kyle Larson led from the pole at the start, but Axsom seized the lead, navigating traffic and handling multiple restarts to hold off his teammate Logan Seavey. Notable drives from Christopher Bell and Justin Grant added further excitement to the headline event.
Wallace Reflects on Youthful Talent Rising in Racing
Beyond individual performances, Kenny Wallace used the Chili Bowl week to shine a light on the increasing presence of young competitors in the highest ranks of motorsport. He highlighted Jett Barnes, a standout 1A Midget driver who won his B-Main against seasoned adults and earned a 12th-place finish in Saturday’s A-Main.
Wallace also referenced the CARS Tour West Pro Late Model season opener at Tucson Speedway, where Kevin Harvick raced against his son Keelan. Keelan, starting from pole and just entering his teenage years, led early but was ultimately passed by his father—2014 Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick—who claimed the race victory in a dramatic finish.
Reflecting on the rise of young racers, Wallace shared his thoughts during ‘Coffee with Kenny’:
“Now we’re talking about two children here. Keelan Harvick was 13 years old a month ago…. he wins what they call the snowflake, before the snowball derby. He’s racing full-blown men… Jett Barnes, I was on the infield at the Chili Bowl watching this kid… he was rolling.”
– Kenny Wallace, NASCAR Veteran
“You put these two children together, 13, 14 years old, and you see it… for all you other parents out there, if you are going to make your child a race car driver and you want him to go far… you got to develop him at like five years old. I see it at Millbridge all the time.” (3:27 onwards)
– Kenny Wallace, NASCAR Veteran
Wallace’s observations underscore a growing trend in motorsport: children are entering high-level racing at increasingly young ages, with families investing in development from their earliest years. He identified Millbridge, a well-known proving ground for junior racers, as a frequent witness to this phenomenon.
Significance of the 2026 Chili Bowl for Racing’s Next Generation
The 2026 edition of the Chili Bowl Nationals showcased not only thrilling competition among veterans and champions, but also set the stage for the next wave of aspiring stars such as Jett Barnes and Keelan Harvick. Kenny Wallace’s comments place a spotlight on the changing landscape of motorsport, where dedication and training can start as early as age five. For Wallace, seeing Santino Ferrucci compete, win, and inspire was a personal highlight, but the event as a whole pointed towards a future where youth and experience will continue to shape racing’s biggest moments.
My hero @SantinoFerrucci 😁 pic.twitter.com/ErF4Q4PQv9
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) January 18, 2026
You the man
— Santino Ferrucci (@SantinoFerrucci) January 17, 2026
