It’s that time again. Chili Bowl 2025 is upon us. The biggest dirt midget race on the planet is ready to begin. Everyone will have their eyes on Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the week-long Chili Bowl Nationals have been a yearly tradition since 1987. Everyone who enters will be looking to leave with the famed Gold Driller Trophy by next weekend. With well over 300-plus entries, there are plenty of names to keep an eye on. This year has plenty of impactful players specifically from the NASCAR realm.
Like always the usually crowd favorites make their return as well. Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell put on a show at the Tulsa Shootout a couple of weekends ago. They will be ready to show out again. Without further delay let’s take a look at all of the NASCAR talent in Tulsa this week.
Chili Bowl 2025 Full of NASCAR Talent
NASCAR drivers have fared very well over the years at this event, as Larson is a former, while Bell has won it three times. He’s back for a fourth this year. NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart is also a former winner of this event as is 2023 Cup Champion Ryan Blaney’s Dad Dave. Though those two dirt racing legends aren’t here this time.
There are plenty looking to add their name to the winner’s list. In total seven drivers made at least one NASCAR Cup start in 2024, looking to outfox dirt favorites Tanner Thorson, Buddy Koifoid, and the 2024 winner Logan Seavey, according to Adam Fenwick from NASCAR.com.
Kyle Larson
Larson is behind the wheel of the No. 1K for Silva Motorsports. It will be his 17th Start in the event. A late flip ended his run in 2024. He’s back with a second victory in the Chili Bowl on his mind.
Kyle Larson on the left. Tyler Courtney on the right. Cars prepared by Paul Silva for the Chili Bowl. pic.twitter.com/Th4AbYeGhQ
— SittingLowInTheGrooveβ’οΈπ (@ChickenBoneAlly) January 12, 2025
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Kyle Busch
Well, it was only a matter of time before Kyle Busch was going to find his way to Tulsa. After son, Brexton captured a Gold Driller during the weekend of the Tulsa Shootout in the Micro Juniors. It’s time for Kyle to try his hand. Busch will be piloting the No. 51K for Kyle Busch Motorsports. His inaugural run will be fun to watch. Finding his way to Saturday’s Main Event should be interesting.
Back in the Expo. See yβall on Friday.π@Lucas_Oil l @FloRacing pic.twitter.com/3aOdt8S1oW
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) January 11, 2025
Christopher Bell
Tulsa’s favorite son returns. Yep, Christopher Bell is back after a two-year hiatus. After winning the event three straight times from 2017-2019, Bell wasn’t able to compete because of a rule put in place by his NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs. 2025, he’s back and looking to win number four behind the wheel of the No. 71W for KKM- Curb-Agajanian.
The 2025 Season Starts Now. @rheem | @CBellRacing | @ToyotaRacing | @cbnationals | @KKM_67 | #TeamToyota | #RheemRacing pic.twitter.com/fSjRYWGEGy
— Rheem Racing (@rheemracing) January 8, 2025
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Stenhouse Jr enters his 18th Chili Bowl. He will be looking to make his ninth feature. This time he’ll be behind the wheel of the No. 86X for CB Industries. Much like Larson in 2024, Stenhouse’s appearance was a surprise. It won’t be this time.
Not one, not twoβ¦
Three @NosEnergyDrink cars for @_CBIndustries! pic.twitter.com/DOFgH1jNJS
— πͺπππππ£ππππ (@Walkapedia_) January 11, 2025
READ MORE:Β Kyle Busch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Fight After NASCAR All-Star Race
Ty Gibbs
Another first-time is Ty Gibbs. He’s no stranger to dirt racing, as Gibbs cut his teeth racing on dirt at Millbridge Speedway in North Carolina throughout his younger years. He will also have Ricky Stenhouse Jr as a team this week. Not a bad guy to lean on in his first Chili Bowl. Ty will pilot the No. 81 for CB Industries.
A @MonsterEnergy Midget for @TyGibbs debut at @CBNationals. π€© pic.twitter.com/qC9zcOVuOn
— πͺπππππ£ππππ (@Walkapedia_) January 11, 2025
J.J. Yeley
The driver with likely the most experience of all the NASCAR drivers involved, Yeley returns to the Chili Bowl for the 29th time. The 2007 runner-up in the event, remains one of the best dirt races of his generation. J.J. will be piloting the No. 3J for Petty Performance Racing.
ππ π***** π¬π²πΉπ²π π We visited @jjyeley1 in Mooresville, NC to talk about how respect in racing has changed over the years and if JJ thinks he can still get an elusive Driller at the #ChiliBowl. pic.twitter.com/slKW8Qm8ex
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 10, 2025
Josh Bilicki
Back for his third-straight Chili Bowl, Josh Bilicki has had an adventurous NASCAR career to say the least. He’s proven his skill across all three of NASCAR’s top series. He will look to improve on his appearance in the J-Main from 2023. He will look to pilot his No. 40B for Chase McDermand Racing as far as he can.
Weβre just a few days away from the @cbnationalsβ¦Iβm pumped!!!
Weβre on track on Sunday, 1/12 for official practice, with my prelim night on Monday, 1/13. Weβll cheer on our CMR teammates during the week before weβre back on track on Saturday, 1/18. Letβs go! pic.twitter.com/CtsHfOtssE
— Josh Bilicki (@joshbilicki) January 10, 2025
Brent Crews
A couple of ARCA Menards wins over the past couple of years, this newly signed Craftsman Truck Series driver for Tricon Garage is ready to show what he’s made of. The 16-year-old Brent Crews will be trying to make his second Chili Bowl Finale. He finished 24th in the 2023 Finale. This is a young talent ready to showcase himself. At the Chili Bowl, he could do just that. Driving for Paul May Motorsports, Crews will look to get his No. 71M through his qualifying night.
Heβs next up.@BrentCrews11 is the future. pic.twitter.com/AGWeCZsDPR
— TRICON (@TRICONGarage) January 6, 2025
Corey Day
The newly signed youth talent for Hendrick Motorsports, Corey Day is back for more fun in the dirt. He will be making his fourth appearance at the Chili Bowl. He was famously named the Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year in 2022. A third-place finish last year has Day eyeing the Gold Driller. That along with all the confidence from signing with boyhood hero Jeff Gordon, has Day on cloud-nine. He will try to wheel his No. 41 for Willie Kahne to victory in Tulsa.
Kid signs a @TeamHendrick contract and comes straight to @CBNationals after an ARCA test at @Daytona.@Corey_Day_ and Willie Kahne are ready to jam again in T-Town. pic.twitter.com/vBkMRbLskx
— πͺπππππ£ππππ (@Walkapedia_) January 11, 2025
Other Notables
Brad Sweet, the brother-in-law of Kyle Larson, and co-owner of High Limit Racing, is back for his first attempt in a few years. You can’t forget the IndyCar talent as Santino Ferrucci will be amongst the many drivers trying to make Saturday’s Finale. Katherine Legge will also try her hand. Legge has been making news with her interest in NASCAR, as she is also fresh of an ARCA Menard Series test at Daytona. It’s great to see the Brit trying her hand in so many different forms of racing. She’s got the talent. While not driving, Alex Bowman is bringing out four midgets for Jake Swanson (55A), CJ Leary (55V), Kevin Thomas Jr. (55X) and newcomer Briggs Danner (55I).
One thing is for sure, the Chili Bowl will be must-see racing. Check it out on Flo Racing. To see which night each driver will take to the track, you can find each night’s entry list here via a press release.
The Pick
So much talent on the list of entries. The NASCAR guys are going to put on a show no doubt. But Logan Seavey has to be the favorite once again. I wouldn’t count out Larson, Bell, or even Day.
