The smell of freshly churned clay, the roar of finely-tuned engines, and the electric hum of 15,000 fans—it’s January in Tulsa, and we all know what that means. The Chili Bowl Nationals are back. But this year, there’s a buzz and energy that’s hard to ignore. It’s not just another year; this might be the most competitive Chili Bowl ever. And Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champ and a two-time Chili Bowl winner, knows it.

Larson put on a show in Oklahoma during the Tulsa Shootout to start the year. The Hendrick Motorsports driver won the winged outlaw race and the winged A-main race before losing to dirt rival Christopher Bell in the non-winged outlaw race. With his biggest rival back to dirt racing thanks to Joe Gibb’s decision to ease restrictions on racing outside NASCAR, Kyle Larson is feeling the heat heading into Tulsa again.

Kyle Larson expects stiff competition

After wrapping up his practice session at the SageNet Center, Kyle Larson spoke candidly with Matt Weaver about the level of competition he expects this week. Weaver asked the California native, “In a lot of ways this feels like the biggest Chili Bowl ever, are you excited to be in the mix and expecting to be in that Saturday A-Main?”

“Yeah, man, I hope so,” Larson said when asked about his chances of making it to the Saturday A-Main. “There are others that you didn’t mention as well. Yeah, there’s a few good guys that can win on Saturday night. So hopefully we can establish ourselves early on in the week and then, you know, watch some racing and try and get ourselves even better for Saturday.” Weaver has spoken about the threat of drivers like three-time champion Christopher Bell, and 2022 champion Tanner Thorson.

Kyle Larson’s respect for his rivals is palpable. And he’s not exaggerating—this year’s Chili Bowl roster is stacked with talent. Leading the charge is Christopher Bell, a three-time Chili Bowl champion whose last victory in 2019 cemented his reputation as a dirt-racing titan. Bell’s back after a two-year hiatus and is gunning for his fourth Golden Driller trophy after beating Larson just a couple of weeks ago during the Tulsa Shootout.

Another name that stands out is Tanner Thorson. The 2022 Chili Bowl winner has proven he’s got what it takes to conquer Tulsa’s tight indoor track. Then there’s Justin Grant, winner of the 2022 O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions, fresh off his recent switch to the CB industries car, which makes him another name to watch.

Last year’s champion, Logan Seavey will be back with eyes set on doubling up on his Chili Bowl success as well. And let’s not forget about Kyle Busch. Yes, the same Kyle Busch who’s won the most races in NASCAR history. While this marks his first shot at the Golden Driller, Busch’s recent experience at the Tulsa Shootout will give him confidence as he takes on dirt racing’s unique challenges.

Other big names include Ty Gibbs, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and dirt-racing stalwarts like J. J. Yeley and Josh Bilicki. Rising stars Brent Crews and Corey Day are also part of the mix, making it a perfect blend of seasoned veterans and hungry young talent. Kyle Larson will surely have his work cut out if he wants to conquer the Chili Bowl Nationals in 2025.

What you need to know about the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals

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If you’re a dirt racing fan, the Chili Bowl Nationals is the place to be—or at least the event to watch. This year’s event runs from Monday, January 13, through Saturday, January 18, at the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Here’s how the week shapes up:

• Monday, Jan. 13: Cummins, Inc. Qualifying Night and the Race of Champions – Starts at 5 p.m. ET.
• Tuesday, Jan. 14: Warren CAT Qualifying Night – 5 p.m. ET.
• Wednesday, Jan. 15: York Plumbing Qualifying Night – 5 p.m. ET.
• Thursday, Jan. 16: John Christner Trucking Qualifying Night – 5 p.m. ET.
• Friday, Jan. 17: Hard Rock Casino Tulsa Qualifying Night – 5 p.m. ET.
• Saturday, Jan. 18: Championship Feature Events – Kicks off at 10 a.m. ET.

Every evening features intense qualifying races that build up to Saturday’s 40-lap championship A-Main. (Yes, it’s been shortened from 55 laps, which promises to crank up the intensity.)

For those lucky enough to attend in person, the SageNet Center’s meticulously crafted dirt track—made from clay sourced right from the fairgrounds—offers an atmosphere like no other. And if you’re in Tulsa, snapping a selfie with the iconic Golden Driller statue is a must.

But if you can’t make it to Oklahoma, you’re not out of luck. FloRacing has you covered with live streaming of every lap. While there’s no traditional TV coverage, FloRacing’s comprehensive coverage ensures you won’t miss a moment.

The Chili Bowl is a week-long spectacle that tests every ounce of a driver’s skill and nerve. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Heat Races: Drivers earn points based on passing moves, not just finishing positions. It’s a system that rewards bold, aggressive driving.
• Qualifiers: The top 40 drivers advance to A-Qualifying races, while others battle it out in C and B mains.
• Pole Dash: The top 10 drivers from the week’s qualifiers race short sprints to determine the A-Main’s front rows.
• Championship Saturday: Starting with P and Q mains, the day culminates in the 24-car A-Main field.

This format makes the Chili Bowl a true test of versatility and strategy, ensuring only the best make it to the final showdown.

The 2025 Chili Bowl boasts a jaw-dropping 375 entries, including some of the biggest names in motorsport. The mix of seasoned champions and hungry up-and-comers promises edge-of-your-seat action. For Kyle Larson, the pressure is undeniable. But if there’s one thing we know about Larson, it’s that he thrives under pressure.

The “Super Bowl of dirt racing” is set to deliver yet again, and fans won’t want to miss it. Whether you’re in Tulsa or watching from home, buckle up. It’s going to be a wild ride.