Tulsa, Oklahoma's 35th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals has become a mainstay in the motorsport landscape, nationally and even globally. 

Since the early 90's when names like Tony Stewart, Ken Schrader, Kenny Irwin Jr. and Jason Leffler made appearances at the Chili Bowl... NASCAR's teams, manufacturers, drivers and their fans have all had eyes in Tulsa while preparing for their season to begin in Daytona.

And this year is no exception, headlined by the reigning NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Chase Elliott. 

Hendrick Motorsports 

Elliott will drive for Paul May and Diaedge Racing, with little dirt racing experience. Elliott announced in late November he was trying something new. 

I’m going to try my best to play in the dirt at the @cbnationals!! Should be fun... 😝 #di9 #ChiliBowl #Nationals pic.twitter.com/aGKsQIquNb

— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) November 25, 2020

"Jeff Gordon called me the other day and said some Hendrick (Motorsports) folks are coming up, we have three of their drivers competing in this event." Founder of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Emmett Hahn told FloRacing at the 2021 Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout. "Talking to some friends who were down there at Millbridge when Chase ran, he seemed really excited. We're going to go out to my little race track on Sunday and let him run a few laps." Said Hahn. 

Elliott's newest teammate at Hendrick Motorsports just happens to be the reigning Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Champion Kyle Larson. It was announced in the offseason Larson was returning to the NASCAR Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports in the 5 car after one of the most incredible seasons in history on the dirt. 

Larson will again compete for himself at the 2021 Chili Bowl, in an entry from Kyle Larson Open Wheel. Paul Silva the winningest crew chief in sprint car racing in 2020 will again be back on the wrenches to defend their title.

Alex Bowman, who also drives for Hendrick in the Cup Series, will be a car owner/mechanic for both C.J. Leary and Jake Swanson. Leary made an appearance last year in the Chili Bowl A main event for Bowman, while Jake Swanson finished 5th in the 2017 feature event. 

Watch The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on FloRacing January 11-16, 2021

Joe Gibbs Racing

Among some of the other NASCAR Cup Series stars competing at the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl, is Toyota Racing Development star and the newest driver to Joe Gibbs Racing's Cup Series lineup, 3-time Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Champ Christopher Bell. 

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Bell will look to make his eighth straight A-main in 2021 in Tulsa and has an average finishing position of 1.25 in the last four main events. Bell competed in the Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout and already has laps this year in the building.

Toyota and Toyota Racing Development have a heavy presence in Tulsa, with multiple TRD affiliates including Keith Kunz, CB Industries and Chad Boat, Petry Motorsports and RMS Racing. 

Kyle Busch and his Rowdy Energy Brand are sponsoring Rico Abreu's Lucas Oil Chili Bowl machine in the KKM stable. 

Stewart Haas Racing

Tony Stewart and Gene Haas newest Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe is competing again at this year's Lucas Oil Chili Bowl, in fact Chase Elliott is driving a sister car to his. Briscoe has made multiple appearances in Tulsa, with a lone 2017 A main appearance where he finished 22nd. 

Ready to some “off season” racing at @MillbridgeRacin & @cbnationals!

Excited to have @TevinNorman’s Tex A Con, @PlanBSales, @SmithTitanium, @HoosierTire, @ElliottsTrailer, @DorsettAutoSale, @HighPoint, @FPRacingSchool, @PagSahlin, @HuffyBicycles, and many others on board! 🏁 pic.twitter.com/yqPudNrOhq

— Chase Briscoe (@ChaseBriscoe_14) November 25, 2020

Briscoe had a tremendous year in NASCAR, winning 9 races in the Xfinity Series ultimately leading to his promotion with SHR's Cup Program. He also won one of the feature events at Millbridge so he does have a win in a midget car this offseason. 

Clauson Marshall Racing Add's Two Cup Stars

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will again team up with Clauson Marshall Racing to chase a driller, he drives for JTG Daugherty Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. He's made six Saturday A-main appearances, his best finish in 2012 where he finished 9th. 

In only 3 weeks @RyanJNewman will hit the track at the @cbnationals in his @Driven2Save #00C as the third driver for Team CMR!

He is carrying a special number this year. More on that to come soon! pic.twitter.com/QgZ80aln4n

— Clauson Marshall Racing (@ClausonMarshall) December 23, 2020

Roush Fenway Racing's Ryan Newman will return to the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl in 2021, after his rookie performance one year ago where he won the E-Main on Saturday and finished 7th in the D-main, two spots out of transferring. He will again pilot a Clauson Marshall Racing entry. 

NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series

JR Motorsports driver Justin Allgaier returns to Tulsa, one year ago he made his 4th Saturday A-main appearance. He will again drive for Team Ripper and Flea Ruzic. 

His best finish at the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is a 3rd in Saturday's main event in 2007, he won 3 races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2020. 

Brett Moffitt will make his Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Debut in 2021. The 2018 Truck Series Champ, Moffitt will drive for Bundy Built Motorsports. Moffitt has driven on the dirt in the past, most notably in IMCA competition, and even got into Micro Racing this year as he and 2020 NASCAR Truck Champ Sheldon Creed towed from Charlotte, NC to Tulsa, Oklahoma to compete in the 2021 Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout. 

More NASCAR Ties

Ryan Ellis is returning to NASCAR this season, to make multiple starts in both the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series, he's also returning for his second Lucas Oil Chili Bowl.

I’m excited to announce that I’ll be racing this 🔥 @TheTireStore midget at the @cbnationals!

This will be my third Chili Bowl Nationals and my fourth ever midget race. We’re also excited to have @AVSpecialists_ and @RichMarFlorist on board! pic.twitter.com/zNR6UfFlzO

— Ryan Ellis (@ryanellisracing) November 18, 2020

JJ Yeley will drive for Glen Styres and his dad Jack Yeley at this year's Chili Bowl, Yeley drives for Rick Ware Racing in NASCAR. He has 8 Chili Bowl A main appearances with his best finish of 2nd coming in 2007.

Cody Ware, Yeley's teammate at RWR will make a Chili Bowl appearance.

15-year Cup Series Veteran Kasey Kahne will drive for Matt Wood Racing in 2021. Kahne has 7 Saturday A-Main appearances with a best finish of 6th coming in 2002.

Jesse Love is the 2020 ARCA Menards Series West champion and will drive for Keith Kunz Motorsports.