Being a single-car team in a sea of gigantic rivals can be intimidating. The 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals will witness a gathering of eclectic talents. Among them, Kyle Larson is the highlight – the 2020 and 2021 champion will be a force to reckon with, driving the No.1 K for Silva Motorsports. To add to that, Keith Kunz Motorsports has a monstrous driver line-up, bringing 16 cars to the field.

These are all factors that Tanner Thorson is carefully considering. The 2022 Chili Bowl winner will be working with Ace McCarthy and a small team. Hence, Thorson is well aware of the obvious disadvantage he faces – the lack of a wider data pool. However, the speedster weighs all the obstacles facing him.

Chili Bowl star admits to shortcoming

NASCAR Cup Series stars will probably be the highlight of the Chili Bowl. Kyle Larson is not the only threat, as three-time Chili Bowl winner Christopher Bell will also race. Two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch will debut, but he has already proved his mettle during the Tulsa Shootout, winning a few heat races. Besides, 8-time Chili Bowl winning team Keith Kunz Motorsports is hosting a huge list of drivers. Bell is driving under them, along with preliminary feature winners like Buddy Kofoid, Tanner Carrick, and Cannon McIntosh. These formidable rivals are on top priority for Tanner Thorson to focus on.

In a recent interview with journalist Matt Weaver, the former Golden Driller winner came clean. Tanner Thorson knows how difficult it would be as a single-car team against his strong rivals. Thorson could not help but admit to the shortcomings he faces going up against bigger rivals like Kyle Larson and KKM. “I have struggled with over the last few years – like not having another car, another person to lean on… It’s hard to beat a group of people when there are 15 cars having a lot of input in the team – versus me and Ace by ourselves.” Yet Tanner also dropped a sliver of hope: “But it also shows how good we can be too by not having that.”

The Chili Bowl underdog added the other people helping out: “When I can have that and obviously some of the guys like… I got Connor Lee, a really good micro-racer here.” He talked about his associate Ace McCarthy and admitted his shortcomings but praised their work together. “I’ve had Ace… different driving style and guy that doesn’t race at all…to be able to have certain inputs… He doesn’t necessarily have the best of feels because he doesn’t race enough. So when he comes in and says something, it brings even more attention to me. Because if he’s feeling that, then there’s something there. Not knocking him on that side of it, but he doesn’t race a lot. He just races one time a year.”

However, Thorson has already proved his dirt prowess heading into the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals.

Setting the stage for glory

Trending

1

Kyle Busch Handed “Final Warning” by NASCAR as Internal Friction Erupts at Chevrolet

2

Justice for NASCAR Legend as FBI Takes Down Elite Car Thieves in Shocking Undercover Operation

3

Chase Elliott Branded NASCAR’s “Last Big Hope” as ‘Loudmouth’ Denny Hamlin Earns Controversial Veteran’s Respect

4

Richard Childress & Co Blamed for Kyle Busch’s Failures as NASCAR Veteran Exposes Rowdy’s Career Blunder

5

Denny Hamlin Pushed Around at Bowman Gray by Roger Penske’s New Short Track Master

Before running the prestigious Chili Bowl Nationals, drivers hone their dirt skills on other tracks. The USAC National Midget events at Bakersfield Speedway and Ventura Raceway in November served as warm-up sessions for the Super Bowl of Midget Racing. And Tanner Thorson has already dazzled there – he led all 30 laps in dominant fashion to win in Bakersfield. It marked his 30th career, USAC National Midget, feature victory and his first at this racetrack. Thorson established the top spot early over fellow front-row starter Cannon McIntosh. Although a few red flags stuttered his pace, he had an eight-car length lead by the midway point.

Tanner Thorson drove the No. 25m Tom Malloy/Trench Shoring Pink Toyota on this glorious path. He admitted to the difficult track conditions while hailing his team after the victory. “(The track) was tricky; it was definitely a race where you wanted to start on the front row. Hats off to my guys for not giving up. I was pretty terrible in that heat race, so we just threw a bunch of stuff at it and it stuck. This was as comfortable as it could get and it could go anywhere I wanted. I think it helped in that situation because it’s easy to lose races when you’re out there by yourself.”

Evidently, Thorson may be more prepared than he is anticipating. As the Chili Bowl kicks off in a short while, our excitement is bubbling! Who do you think will win the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals?