Kyle Larson Namedrops ‘Golden Driller’ Favourite Amidst His Chili Bowl Absence

Kyle Larson and Sprint Car racing is a never-ending love story. The Hendrick Motorsports superstar has been a constant presence in the circuit. He has increased his interest in sprint cars by establishing the High Limit Racing Series. However, when Larson announced that he wouldn’t participate in the 2023 Chili Bowl, it was a surprising revelation for the dirt racing and sprint car community.

The shocking announcement came in the later months of 2022 when Kyle Larson cited the winning purse as a reason for his dissatisfaction. Having earned the moniker ‘Yung Money‘ for his affinity to win races throughout the country, the $10,000 cash prize wasn’t enough for Kyle Larson. However, that hasn’t stopped him from keeping close tabs on the tourney. Larson has named his favorites for the 2024 Chili Bowl championship as the coveted dirt racing tourney inches closer.

18-year-old Sprint Car sensation is among Kyle Larson’s picks for the Golden Driller

The 2024 Chili Bowl is the second Golden Driller competition of the year. The recently organized Tulsa Shootout at the SageNet Center in Oklahoma was the first sprint car event of the year and was extended to 2024 from the final days of December 2023. While the Shootout was graced by stars like Kyle Busch, Christopher Bell, and Hailie Deegan, among many notable names, the Chili Bowl has been anticipated to host even more stars.

As High Limit Racing partner FloRacing questioned the community about their picks to win the 2024 Chili Bowl, Kyle Larson replied, “I’m going with @corey_day_ or @JustinGrant40.”

Justin Grant is one of the eternal favorites in the competition and has already sealed his status as a sprint car legend. 18-year-old Corey Day, on the other hand, is one of the hottest prospects to come through the ranks of sprint car racing.

Driving the #2J Sprint Car for RMS Racing, Justin Grant returned to the competition as a contender, like every time. Having won the 2023 USAC National Sprint Car Championship to make it two in a row and three overall, Grant is in outrageous form. RMS Racing’s solid design and equipment complement the BC39 champion very well. For Kyle Larson, Grant is one of the safest options to pick. However, his second favorite could spring a surprise.

Corey Day will race in Willie Kahne’s #41 sprint car. Still, in his senior year of high school, the upcoming talent has progressed from shining in a Jason Meyers car to competing with Willie Kahne in the #41 Bullet/Mopar. The California-born driver has also been in great form and won the NARC 410 Sprint Car Series championship last year, along with a World of Outlaws win at the Gold Cup Race of Champions.

Read More: “Tough Guy on Twitter”; Fans Ruthlessly Bash Tony Stewart & Team’s “Unapologetic” Campaign Amidst Contradicting Reality

Day has also sealed the deal with High Limit Racing for the upcoming year after having raced in three races in Kyle Larson’s competition in 2023. However, with his foray into high-limit racing, it seems unlikely that Larson will return to the Chili Bowl Nationals without a revised winning prize.

An unexpected breakup between Kyle Larson and the Chili Bowl

Trending

NASCAR Rumor: 66-YO Surprise Daytona 500 Winner Could Make a Return to NASCAR in 2025

1 Year After Heartbreak, Shane van Gisbergen Dominates Rivals in Dirt Track Return

Amid Sleepless Nights, Tony Stewart’s Wife Leah Reveals Their 1-Month-Old Son’s 4 ‘Responsibilities’

Shane Van Gisbergen Discloses a Major Problem in NASCAR After Leaving Supercars

Historic NASCAR Track Shutting Its Door After Final Run Has Racing Community Heartbroken

Kyle Larson announced his decision to opt out of the prestigious Chili Bowl after winning it for the second time in 2021. In 2022, Larson had already scored high-profile victories at the $50,000 Prairie Dirt Classic, $150,000 Knoxville Nationals, and $175,000 Kings Royal. However, the winning purse meant more than prestige to him.

When Larson won his first Golden Driller trophy in 2020, he was visibly emotional and jubilant after a hard-fought victory after years of struggle. However, fast forward to 2024, and he has seemingly denounced the competition permanently. While fellow Cup Series driver Christopher Bell joined the 2021 Cup champion in his complaints, Bell eventually returned to Oklahoma.

Speaking to Racing America about his decision, Larson said, “So, I’ve been going to the Chili Bowl for 15 years. It’s a great event, and I love it.”

“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.“

Watch This Story: The Uncertain Road Ahead Matt Dibenedettos 2024 NASCAR Journey

The decision doesn’t seem to have gone south for Kyle Larson. The High Limit Racing Series has been remarkably successful and competes with the World of Outlaws to dethrone it as the best sprint car competition. A recent announcement of a charter system being introduced to it with a gradual transition until 2026 has attracted more and more drivers with each passing day as well.