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AVONDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 07: Christopher Bell, driver of the #95 Procore Toyota, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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AVONDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 07: Christopher Bell, driver of the #95 Procore Toyota, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott were the first two who boycotted the Chili Bowl Sprint Car series. And their reason was largely for the fairly small pot for the winners. Turns out, Christopher Bell joined the Hendrick duo too.
The Chili Bowl has got a seriously bad rep suddenly.
Larson and Elliott were very vocal about them not participating in the Chili Bowl. Of course, a small $10,00 prize for the winner, with an additional $150 for every lap led, was dissatisfactory for them. Now, the money isn’t a big deal for a NASCAR Cup Series champion. However, taking into account the cost of making the car, transport, and everything involved; they will end up in losses.
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The duo got Christopher Bell to join their team as well, as they all put their foot down from taking part this year. Bob Pockrass reported the news on his Twitter account as all they all backed out.
Neither Larson nor Bell are running the Chili Bowl. They have been advocating for bigger purses for midget/sprint-car events and the Chili Bowl pays $10K to the winner (plus $150 per lap led in the main event) https://t.co/mDMbgPN4d1
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 8, 2023
And the fans were actually with Larson on this one.
It’s insane that Irwindale speedway hosts the all star showdown with the modifieds getting a $5K purse (75 lap main) pro lates getting a $10K (100 lap main) purse and super late models get a $25 K (200 lap main) purse. Larson and Bell are on to something here.
— Joe_996 (@Good_OLE_JOE) January 9, 2023
The negative side to "making it" in Cup is the fear of loosing in a lesser division.
— Alfred (@AlfredHamblin5) January 8, 2023
As prestigious as the chili bowl is, you would think it would be at least 50 grand
— Mike Richardson (@Touchole88) January 8, 2023
Everyone forgets that racing is a business now. Kyle Larson is straight up making his own sprint car series to promote higher pay outs. Gotta share the wealth
— PK (@patrickstarr42) January 9, 2023
10k is embarrassing for a event so prestigious not to mention the amount of money drivers and teams spend to compete. Plus Larson is mainly not doing it to take a break and run something else for a change, DLMs in the wild west shootout
— Nick Spiker (@nickspiker56) January 8, 2023
Shit they get more at our local track in Clearwater, FL
— Champa Bay Beast (@acorman727) January 8, 2023
Even winning the race probably wouldn't cover your expenses for the week.
They must want the drivers to do it for the exposure…
— Matt Frederick (@racedayeveryday) January 8, 2023
Good for Larson and Bell 👍🏼 10k is peanuts !
— Mike Turner (@mikenumber6) January 8, 2023
10k ? 😆🤣😂😆🤣🤣🤣😂😂
— Will Dorado (@DaFleetCaptain) January 8, 2023
Read More: Here’s the Reason Why Kyle Larson Chose ‘Donald’ as His Newborn Son’s Middle Name
Unfortunately, this is bound to put a few specks of dust on Chilli Bowl’s name as their biggest competitors backed out. But is it for being so public about their distaste for the minimal purse?
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Chilli Bowl just isn’t a big deal to Kyle Larson anymore
The small pot sure was a big factor in him going against the Chilli Bowl. But talking to Racing America, he explained, “I’ve spent half of my life going there. But now that I’ve started racing in these other big events, against big names, and they just feel like a bigger deal to me than the Chili Bowl.”

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 01: NASCAR driver Kyle Larson speaks with the media during the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Media Day at Charlotte Convention Center on September 01, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
He did have an issue with the purse of the race. But of course, it didn’t sit well with the founder of the sprint car series as he said, “They have my number. Chase Elliott has my number. I’m really easy to get a hold of, and I would have this conversation with them too but they’ve all gone straight to the media.”
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Watch This Story: “Chase Fans in Shambles” – Chase Elliott Hit With Setback as Hendrick Motorsports Start 2023 With a Loss
So, do you think it’s good they are boycotting the Chilli Bowl? Let us know in the comments.
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