Yahoo Sports NASCAR drivers at the Chili Bowl: Here is who's racing at the 2025 Nationals in Tulsa
The cars are built. The decals have been applied. Preparations are done. All that’s left is the biggest dirt midget car event in the world. The 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals are here.
Held every year since 1987, the Chili Bowl annually attracts the biggest dirt racing stars from across the United States and the world to the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Every driver who enters the building wants one thing: to take home the famous Golden Driller trophy. The field of more than 300 will be narrowed down throughout the course of five days via heat races, qualifiers and preliminary main events.
Ultimately, what was once more than 300 entrants will be whittled down to just 24 starters for Saturday night’s 40-lap championship feature.
RELATED: What to know about the 2025 Chili Bowl
NASCAR drivers have enjoyed plenty of success throughout the history of the Chili Bowl. Christopher Bell has three Chili Bowl victories on his resume, with Kyle Larson, Tony Stewart and Dave Blaney being among the others who have hoisted the Golden Driller at least once.
The 2025 edition of the event will see seven drivers who made NASCAR Cup Series starts in 2024 mixing it up with the best midget car drivers in the world, including Tanner Thorson, Buddy Kofoid and defending winner Logan Seavey.
Below is a guide on the NASCAR drivers competing in the Chili Bowl.
NASCAR drivers at the Chili Bowl in 2025
Kyle Larson (No. 1K Silva Motorsports)
Making his 17th attempt at the Chili Bowl is 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson. A two-time Chili Bowl champion (2020 and 2021), Larson has made the championship feature 11 times during his career.
He’s already taken home two trophies this year inside the SageNet Center after winning the A-Class and Outlaw features during the Tulsa Shootout.
One season ago, he made a surprise return to the Chili Bowl, but a flip during his preliminary night ended his hopes of making the Saturday finale. He’ll look to right the ship and return to the Chili Bowl main event for the first time since 2022.
Kyle Busch (No. 51K Kyle Busch Motorsports)
It’s not often you find something Kyle Busch has never done, but that’s exactly the case as the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion makes his Chili Bowl Nationals debut. Driving his own No. 51K midget car, Busch will look to turn in a strong performance during his first Chili Bowl.
This isn’t the first time Busch has raced inside the SageNet Center. He’s competed in the Tulsa Shootout three times, with his most recent attempt coming just two weeks ago.
He even scored a pair of heat race wins during his Tulsa Shootout campaign.
Christopher Bell (No. 71W KKM – Curb-Agajanian)
After being forced to miss the last two Chili Bowl Nationals due to rules put in place by Joe Gibbs Racing, Christopher Bell is back and ready to chase his fourth Golden Driller. The three-time (2017-19) event winner has made the championship feature nine times in 12 previous attempts.
His most recent Chili Bowl Nationals start came in 2022, when he finished second to winner Tanner Thorson.
He’s already gotten a bit of practice in inside the SageNet Center this year by competing in the Tulsa Shootout, where he won the Non-Wing Outlaw feature in a photo finish over Larson.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (No. 86X CB Industries)
Another NASCAR Cup Series race winner with plenty of experience inside the SageNet Center is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. The 2023 Daytona 500 winner has made 17 previous Chili Bowl appearances, making the championship feature eight times.
His best effort came during the 2021 running of the event, when he finished seventh in the championship feature.
One season ago he, like Larson, made a surprise appearance at the Chili Bowl and raced his way to the C-Main on championship Saturday before he was eliminated.
Ty Gibbs (No. 81 CB Industries)
Another NASCAR Cup Series driver making his Chili Bowl Nationals debut this year is Joe Gibbs Racing driver Ty Gibbs, who honed his skills racing on dirt at North Carolina’s Millbridge Speedway.
He recently made his Midget racing debut during the annual Turkey Night Grand Prix at California’s Ventura Raceway and will look to turn heads during his first Chili Bowl.
Gibbs will be racing as a teammate to Stenhouse, with both drivers set to compete for CB Industries.
J.J. Yeley (No. 3J Petty Performance Racing)
One of the best dirt racers of his generation, veteran NASCAR star J.J. Yeley returns to the Chili Bowl Nationals for his 29th attempt to capture the prestigious Golden Driller trophy.
In his 28 previous attempts, Yeley has made the championship feature eight times, including scoring a runner-up finish during the 2007 Chili Bowl.
Yeley made history during the 2004 running of the event, advancing a stunning 69 positions from his F-Main to finish third in the Chili Bowl championship race.
Josh Bilicki (No. 40B Chase McDermand Racing)
Journeyman NASCAR competitor Josh Bilicki is back at the SageNet Center for the third consecutive year to take part in the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals.
His best effort in his previous two starts came in 2023 when he made it to a J-Main on championship Saturday.
Brent Crews (No. 71M Paul May Motorsports)
A victor in ARCA Menards Series competition each of the last two seasons who is slated for a part-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series effort with Tricon Garage in 2025, Brent Crews will attempt to make the Chili Bowl Nationals championship feature for the second time during his career.
The 16-year-old has made three previous attempts inside the SageNet Center, with his best effort coming in 2023 when he finished 24th in the Saturday night finale.
Corey Day (No. 41 Willie Kahne)
A fast rising star in the sprint car world who has also begun dabbling in NASCAR, Corey Day is back for his fourth attempt at the Chili Bowl Nationals in 2025.
In three previous attempts inside the SageNet Center, Day has made the championship feature twice.
His best effort came last year, when he finished third in the Saturday night main event behind winner Logan Seavey and runner-up Buddy Kofoid.
