Larson, Bell Set for Chili Bowl Showdown Between Three-Time Champions

Last Updated on February 26, 2026 by WWTR

MADISON, Ill. (Jan. 16, 2026) – Roughly 400 miles south of Madison, Illinois fans from across the country and a wide range of drivers have flocked to Tulsa, Oklahoma for the Chili Bowl Nationals. With more than 380 entries, NASCAR Cup Series stars Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, both three-time Chili Bowl winners, are set to square off in Saturday night’s Championship feature on Jan. 17.  

Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Larson made his presence known in his preliminary feature race on Monday, Jan. 12 when he came out victorious to secure his place in the Saturday feature. He was one of two NASCAR Cup Series driver to claim a victory early in the week.

Bell, also a three-time Chili Bowl champion, secured the pole position at the Race of Champions on Jan. 12 and held his lead as he passed the checkered flag. he continued his dominant run Thursday, Jan. 15, going undefeated in his heat race, qualifier and preliminary feature.

The highly anticipated battle between the two champions will take place Saturday, Jan. 17 and can be streamed on FloRacing. Feature hot laps begin at 9 a.m. CT, followed by opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. CT.  

Larson and Bell are also scheduled to compete later this year at World Wide Technology Raceway during the Enjoy Illinois 300 weekend, Sept. 12-13, where they will once again go head-to-head on the 1.25-mile oval.

In conjunction with the Chili Bowl Nationals, race fans attending the 2026 event in Tulsa can win prize packages to WWT Raceway’s 2026 NASCAR and INDYCAR weekends. Prize packages will be available on Jan. 16 and Jan. 17 at the Tulsa Expo Raceway.

Fans are encourages to look for WWT Raceway banners around the Tulsa Expo Raceway and commercials on FloRacing.

Tickets for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 and the Enjoy Illinois 300 weekend are on sale now at wwtraceway.com or by calling the ticket office at (618) 215-8888 ext. 1.

MEDIA CONTACT: Payton Buschhorn | WWTR Public Relations & Media Manager  | 314.517.5125 | pbuschhorn@wwtraceway.com