Larson proves once again that his reputation for impeccable car control and dirt racing dominance is well-earned.
Kyle Larson has won his third Chili Bowl Nationals with a dramatic performance, leading all 40 laps of the event from the pole position. Larson’s dirt dominance was on full display last Saturday as he put on a car control clinic in the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
His incredible run wasn’t without drama, however. Larson found his win threatened by a lapped car that slid in front of him when he made contact with that car’s tire. In dirt midget racing, even a small amount of contact between cars can send one or both vehicles tumbling. Larson also made contact with the wall several times during the closing laps.
Larson, who won the event in 2020 and 2021, is now tied with fellow Cup Series driver Christopher Bell for Chili Bowl titles. Bell finished 10th this year. With Coach Joe Gibbs recently lifting his informal “ban” on dirt racing for his drivers, expect to see a lot more of the budding Bell/Larson dirt rivalry this year.
Both drivers are on friendly terms with each other, but it’s clear that both intend to win. Larson, who regularly races on dirt several nights a week during the already busy Cup season, is expected to face stiff competition from Bell this year, who will most certainly take on more racing responsibilities.
Speaking of JGR driver, Ty Gibbs also competed in this year’s event, finishing sixth in his F feature after winning his G feature. Not bad for his first Chili Bowl! Fellow NASCAR competitor Josh Bilicki would finish seventh in that same race after winning his H feature.
Former JGR driver Kyle Busch finished third in his F feature, but only mustered a 14th place finish in his E feature in his first Chili Bowl appearance. 2023 Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished eighth in his B main, barely missing the chance to transfer over to the A main. Most of these drivers will turn their full focus to pavement as the NASCAR season starts – but at least two will remain locked in on dirt.
Photo: Chili Bowl Nationals
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