Kyle Larson saw his hopes for another Golden Driller fade on Saturday, January 17, at the Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa after a crash effectively ended his title defense just 15 laps into the main event. The much-anticipated Kyle Larson Chili Bowl crash came after contact with a slowing C.J. Leary forced Larson out of contention, abruptly halting his run for a fourth Chili Bowl Nationals crown.
Kyle Larson’s Strong Start and Unexpected Turn of Events
Heading into race week in Tulsa, Kyle Larson was viewed as a leading candidate to claim another title. After previous victories at the Chili Bowl in 2020, 2021, and 2025, Larson arrived with momentum and quickly asserted his form by claiming a win during his preliminary feature. That early success guaranteed him a prime spot in Saturday’s prestigious A-Main.
Larson began the championship race from pole position and controlled the pace early, putting himself in a promising spot to vie for a third Golden Driller. However, mid-way through the event, an incident with C.J. Leary on the racing line changed his fortunes. Leary, dealing with a flat right-front tire, slowed down considerably in front of Larson, who was closing the gap with limited visibility.
Attempting to maneuver past the stricken Leary, Larson’s car made contact with Leary’s rear bumper. The impact sent Larson’s Hendrickcars.com No. 1K midget careening into the outside wall, tumbling onto its side and triggering a red flag for the main event. After the event, Larson described the moment from his perspective:
“I haven’t seen anything, but he was slowing, and I saw his right front was flat. So then I was just kind of trying to get under him, and I just clipped his rear bumper with my right front, and it just turned me into the wall. So, this is what it is.”
– Kyle Larson, Driver
Efforts from his team to repair the car during the stoppage proved futile as Larson had already begun exiting the car, marking the official end of his bid for another championship. Asked afterward about his outlook during the race, he reflected on the conditions and the unpredictable finish:
“I mean, for the way the track conditions were at that point in the race, I felt really good. I’m sure everybody didn’t feel very good there at the end as it got curbed up. So, I don’t know how it would have been, but I’m sure it would have been difficult to run the cushion just like it looked for everybody.”
– Kyle Larson, Driver
“But maybe I could have made less mistakes. It looked like those guys were getting nervous at the end, and you never know what could happen, but I would have just liked to have been a part of the race there, but it just wasn’t in the car this year,”
he added. – Kyle Larson, Driver
With the Chili Bowl Nationals behind him, Larson now shifts focus back to the NASCAR Cup Series, preparing to defend his championship starting at the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in less than two weeks.
Emerson Axsom Claims Victory Amidst Fierce Competition
While Larson’s exit was a headline moment, the main event continued with Emerson Axsom seizing his chance to shine for Swindell SpeedLab. Axsom, who had also started from the front row, managed to overtake Larson to establish himself as a frontrunner. From there, the race became a high-stakes duel featuring Axsom, Logan Seavey, Christopher Bell, Justin Grant, and other top contenders, with relentless traffic increasing the challenge lap after lap.
After Larson’s departure, Axsom handled the pressure from Seavey, his teammate and rival throughout the week. Justin Grant positioned himself to potentially mount a late surge but became entangled in his own incident, leaving Seavey and Bell to challenge Axsom until the final restarts. Axsom ultimately secured his first Golden Driller trophy, cementing his reputation and joining the select group of Chili Bowl winners.
Larson, watching from the infield, praised Axsom’s achievement and recognized the new generation emerging at Tulsa:
“He’s always been really good in this building between the (Tulsa) shootout and the Chili Bowl. He’s always one that you have your eye on here. So yeah, cool to see a new winner as always for any big event. I’m sure he’s got what, 21 or two, probably, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities. And excited to kind of see where his career takes him… he’ll have a good, successful career hopefully and make a lot of money and you’ll win more big races outside this building for sure.”
– Kyle Larson, Driver
The field at Tulsa also saw notable performances from drivers such as Justin Grant and Kevin Thomas Jr., contributing to the elevated level of competition and excitement throughout the week. Each contender, including winners like Axsom and formidable rivals like Seavey and Bell, demonstrated the unpredictable and dynamic nature of the Chili Bowl Nationals.
What’s Next for Kyle Larson and the Chili Bowl Contenders
With the disappointment of the Chili Bowl crash in the rearview, Kyle Larson turns his attention to the imminent NASCAR season, where he aims to build on his status as the defending Cup Series champion at Bowman Gray Stadium. Meanwhile, the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals concluded with new stories and heroes, most notably Emerson Axsom, whose breakthrough win signals a promising future for emerging talents in the dirt racing scene.
This year’s dramatic main event in Tulsa highlighted not only Larson’s determination and the ever-present risk of racing at this level but also the rising force of young drivers eager to etch their names among the greats. As the next season unfolds, the rivalries and races set in motion at the Chili Bowl continue to shape the landscape of American motorsports.
🤯 Defending Chili Bowl Champion @KyleLarsonRacin is upside down while running 2nd!#ChiliBowl | @NosEnergyDrink pic.twitter.com/hG7Xia6hJS
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 18, 2026
Kyle Larson on his flip and just being a fan at the end pic.twitter.com/bXjCs8J47z
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) January 18, 2026
