The 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, delivered high drama as top NASCAR drivers took center stage, battling for one of dirt racing’s most coveted trophies. With millions tuned in, the question of NASCAR drivers Chili Bowl results kept fans buzzing, especially as returning champions Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell faced off in intense competition through a week of thrilling racing.
NASCAR Talent Lights Up the Chili Bowl in Tulsa
The annual Chili Bowl Nationals, famously powered by NOS Energy Drink, is considered the pinnacle of midget car racing and annually draws a stellar field of NASCAR drivers. In 2026, the lineup featured reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, three-time Chili Bowl winner Christopher Bell, as well as 2025 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love, Ty Gibbs, Sheldon Creed, Corey Day, J.J. Yeley, and Josh Bilicki. Notably, the event saw participation from regional NASCAR stars like Gavan Boschele, Jake Johnson, and Ryan Roulette, adding further depth to an already star-studded roster in Tulsa’s SageNet Center.
Kyle Larson: Triumph and Heartbreak in His Eighteenth Attempt
Kyle Larson, winner of the Chili Bowl in 2020, 2021, and 2025, entered his 18th try with confidence after a strong Race of Champions showing on Monday night and a dominant preliminary feature win. He started the 30-lap A Main fourth but quickly seized the lead before mid-race, expertly handling pressure from Briggs Danner and Cannon McIntosh. Midway through, Larson benefitted from a caution after bumping with lapped car Gaige Weldon, allowing him to secure his spot in the Saturday championship feature.
“My car felt good, and I was making decent decisions in traffic,”
Larson said, reflecting on his progress through the field.
“It’s good to be back in position for Saturday.”
– Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Entering Saturday’s A-Main from pole position, Larson seemed poised for a third Chili Bowl title. Unfortunately, fate had different plans—Larson’s race ended prematurely after flipping just 15 laps in, resulting in a disappointing DNF and a swift exit from the coveted championship race.
Christopher Bell: Owner-Driver Excellence and Consistent Showings
Christopher Bell, the pride of Norman, Oklahoma and three-time Chili Bowl champion (2017-2019), returned for his 13th attempt, energized after a 2025 comeback and a strong performance in the 2026 Race of Champions. Bell kicked off his week with a convincing flag-to-flag win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Race of Champions, taking the checkered for the fourth time and notably, his first as an owner-driver.
“🏁 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
After starting from pole, Bell overcame late-race nerves and technical questions as he pursued success driving his own equipment.
“This makes everything a whole lot more stressful,”
Bell admitted post-race.
“I think it just makes the triumph so much more rewarding.”
– Christopher Bell, NASCAR Cup Series Driver and Team Owner
Dominant again in Thursday’s qualifying, Bell won both his heat and his qualifier, then surged from eighth to take the A Main victory in the closing laps—his ninth preliminary night triumph at Tulsa. Slotted in the top five through the championship finale, Bell finished Saturday’s A Main in eighth, capping a strong week with poise and consistency.
Jesse Love: Promising Run Ended by Dramatic Flip
Jesse Love, fresh from his 2025 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series title, returned to Tulsa after a year away, driving a car for Blake Harris, crew chief for Cup star Alex Bowman. After a 16th-place run in Monday’s Race of Champions, Love advanced through qualifying with solid finishes and won his B Main to enter Friday’s feature.
His momentum peaked as he flipped across the finish line in sixth during the Friday A Main—a dramatic incident that ultimately led his team to withdraw from the Saturday program. Love’s Chili Bowl provided both flashes of speed and a stark reminder of dirt racing’s unpredictability.
Ty Gibbs: Building Experience Amid Setbacks
Ty Gibbs, 2022 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion, made his second Chili Bowl appearance this year. On Tuesday, Gibbs posted a second in his heat and fifth in the qualifier, then finished 14th in the A Main after starting from seventh. Saturday saw him eliminated after an incident in the C Main, cutting short his hopes of advancing to the championship round.
J.J. Yeley: Veteran Makes History and Battles for Placement
Entering his 30th Chili Bowl attempt, J.J. Yeley’s storied career includes eight championship feature starts and a dramatic 2004 climb from F Main to podium finish. On Tuesday, Yeley excelled in heat and qualifier runs, starting the A Main near the front before slipping to 10th. Resolute, he advanced from C to B Main on Saturday, but a spin in the B Main left him eliminated in 16th, highlighting both his resilience and the merciless nature of the competition.
Sheldon Creed: Impressive Debut and Learning Curves
Sheldon Creed, driving for the Haas Factory Team in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, made his Chili Bowl debut after years of dirt experience at Millbridge Speedway and the Tulsa Shootout. Creed impressed on Tuesday by winning B Main #2, earning a spot in the A Main, though he failed to finish in the feature itself.
“‼️ @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
Attempting the traditional “alphabet soup” of transfers on Saturday, Creed’s run ended in the E Main, offering crucial experience for future attempts at midget car racing’s most challenging week.
Corey Day: Fast but Unlucky in his Fifth Chili Bowl
Corey Day, recently signed for his first full NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season with Hendrick Motorsports, entered the Chili Bowl with three previous championship feature appearances. Day’s preliminary night included a heat win, strong showing in the qualifier, and a sixth-place A Main finish. A tough break in Saturday’s B Main saw Day caught in a crash not of his own making, relegating him to 19th and ending his Chili Bowl bid.
Gavan Boschele: Breakthrough to the Main Event Pays Off
Gavan Boschele, joining Nitro Motorsports for the ARCA Menards Series, returned to the Chili Bowl after past attempts with more seasoned prospects. Boschele advanced from an eighth-place A Main finish in his qualifier to reach his first Chili Bowl championship feature on Saturday. Starting 23rd, he fought through the pack to finish 14th in the fiercely contested 55-lap finale, marking a significant milestone in his midget racing career.
Jake Johnson: Steady Debut for Modified Tour Winner
Jake Johnson, a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour winner in 2024, teamed up with two-time Chili Bowl champion Cory Kruseman for his Tulsa debut. Despite gaining ground in preliminary heats, Johnson’s run ended with a 10th-place C Main finish on Thursday, followed by ninth in the Saturday morning M Main—a solid result as he gains valuable seat time in this unique racing format.
Ryan Roulette: From Cockpits to Race Tracks in Bold First Outing
Ryan Roulette, known for flying U.S. Air Force fighters, swapped wings for wheels as an ARCA Menards Series competitor making his Chili Bowl debut. With Brian Buckwalter as owner, Roulette finished fourth in his opening heat and eighth in a C Main on Thursday. His campaign concluded with 10th place in Saturday’s L Main, rounding out an action-packed week and signaling promise for future endeavors in dirt racing.
Significance of the Chile Bowl’s NASCAR Invasion
The 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals once again highlighted how NASCAR drivers challenge themselves against the country’s best dirt racers, with some experiencing triumph, and others finding heartbreak or education in the high-stakes environment of Tulsa’s SageNet Center. NASCAR Cup Series champions like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell delivered standout moments, while up-and-comers such as Jesse Love, Corey Day, and Gavan Boschele demonstrated their ability to adapt quickly between racing disciplines. The event’s wide national attention cements its role as a proving ground and spectacle for motorsports fans, connecting NASCAR’s stars to the grassroots culture from which many emerged. As the next generation pushes forward, the Chili Bowl will surely remain a hotbed for thrilling storylines each January in Oklahoma.
🏁 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
