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2024 Chili Bowl Nationals

Kyle Larson Explains What Will Keep Him Coming Back To The Chili Bowl

Kyle Larson Explains What Will Keep Him Coming Back To The Chili Bowl

Kyle Larson makes his Chili Bowl Nationals return on Thursday. He explained why he missed 2023 event and what will keep him coming back to the Chili Bowl.

Jan 11, 2024 by Joe Harrington
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NASCAR superstar Kyle Larson hasn't raced in the Chili Bowl Nationals since 2022 and wasn't originally planning on driving in the 2024 race until after qualifying had already began. But on Tuesday, Larson decided he was heading back to the Tulsa Expo Center and the SageNet Center for this year's race.

Larson won the Chili Bowl Main-A race in 2020 and 2021. He finished sixth in 2022 

On Thursday, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Champion explained why he missed the race in 2023. 

2024 Chili Bowl Nationals

Why Kyle Larson Didn't Race At The Chili Bowl In 2023

Larson made comments about the Chili Bowl purse in 2022, and since then the purse has been increased. Larson said there was a lot of negativity brought on by his comments. But he made it clear: That's not why he missed the 2023 Chili Bowl. 

"Last year, I think a lot of people only really read into those comments, rather than ... I've been racing in this building half my life and I wanted to go experience something different," he told FloRacing. "And I did that. I did not miss the Chili Bowl last year.

"But this year, as it approaches, and you get watching and I realized how quickly the program is done and there's this window of maybe doing it ... I really want to go back."

Kyle Larson: 'Never Once Said I Would Not Come To The Chili Bowl'

Never say never. Larson clarified that he never permanently gave up on returning to the Chili Bowl. 

"Even back (in 2022-2023) I never once I would not come to the Chili Bowl," he said. "I never used the words 'boycotting' or anything like that. So that part was frustrating last year."

Larson said he wasn't sure if he would race the Chili Bowl in 2025. But added that there's a reason he comes back. 

"Who knows if I'll be back next year," he said. "There's other stuff that ... I want to experience with myself and my family. But the Chili Bowl is the Chili Bowl. It's a super fun event and just being here for the 12 hours ... the real reason I love this event is just the friends I have here and the overall time. 

"The racing part of it, the Driller, is cool. But just being able to spend time with your friends and be altogether is probably the coolest thing about this event and what in the future will keep me coming back." 

Kyle Larson: 'I Have A Ton Of Respect For The Hahn Family'

Larson also made clear that he has no ill will toward the Hahn family, which runs the Chili Bowl. 

"I have a ton of respect for the Hahn family," he said. "And what they've built this event into and I'm excited to be here."

Chili Bowl Nationals 2024 Streaming On FloRacing

The Chili Bowl Nationals is streaming on FloRacing and the FloSports app. Replays of the event, breaking news, and every qualifying racing will be on both platforms. 

Every Chili Bowl Nationals Winner 

Here's who has won the Chili Bowl: 

  • 1987: Rich Vogler
  • 1988: Scott Hatton
  • 1989: Sammy Swindell
  • 1990: John Heydenreich
  • 1991: Lealand McSpadden
  • 1992: Sammy Swindell
  • 1993: Dave Blaney
  • 1994: Andy Hillenburg
  • 1995: Donnie Beechler
  • 1996: Sammy Swindell
  • 1997: Billy Boat
  • 1998: Sammy Swindell
  • 1999: Dan Boorse
  • 2000: Cory Kruseman
  • 2001: Jay Drake
  • 2002: Tony Stewart
  • 2003: Dan Boorse
  • 2004: Cory Kruseman
  • 2005: Tracy Hines
  • 2006: Tim McCreadie
  • 2007: Tony Stewart
  • 2008: Damion Gardner
  • 2009: Sammy Swindell
  • 2010: Kevin Swindell
  • 2011: Kevin Swindell
  • 2012: Kevin Swindell
  • 2013: Kevin Swindell
  • 2014: Bryan Clauson
  • 2015: Rico Abreu
  • 2016: Rico Abreu
  • 2017: Christopher Bell
  • 2018: Christopher Bell
  • 2019: Christopher Bell
  • 2020: Kyle Larson
  • 2021: Kyle Larson
  • 2022: Tanner Thorson
  • 2023: Logan Seavey

Why Is It Called The Chili Bowl?

The Chili Bowl Nationals were started back in 1987 by Lanny Edwards and Emmett Hahn. The two promoters partnered with “The Chili Bowl Company" owned by the Berryhill family. Edwards and Hahn decided to name the event after the company.

“My father bought into a restaurant on 11th street (in Tulsa),” said Bob Berryhill. “And it was called the Chili Bowl.”

Eventually, the Berryhill family took the Original Chili Bowl restaurant and turned it into a company that sold their chili in grocery stores. 

-Rob Blount

How To Watch Every Chili Bowl

With the help of MAVTV and Greg Stephen's Motorsports Video, FloRacing has assembled every championship feature event replay from the inception of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals from 1987 to the present!

Fans can watch all 37 main events from the Chili Bowl Nationals on FloRacing by clicking here.  

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