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Can Kyle Larson Break Christopher Bell’s Chili Bowl Dominance or Is Bell Untouchable?

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
January 19, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0

NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Media Day Feb 15, 2023 Daytona Beach, Florida, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Christopher Bell 20 speaks to the media at Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach Daytona International Speedway Florida USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMikexDinovox 20230215_mcd_ad4_121

NASCAR star Kyle Larson has returned to the 39th Chili Bowl Nationals with one mission: dethrone Christopher Bell and claim his third Golden Driller. Despite Larson’s formidable track record, the path to glory is anything but clear, especially with Bell reclaiming his dirt racing throne after a two-year hiatus.

Larson’s return to Tulsa isn’t just about adding another trophy to his collection—it’s about rewriting the narrative of who reigns supreme in midget racing’s ultimate showdown. But does Larson have what it takes to outpace Bell, who already boasts three consecutive Chili Bowl titles (2017-2019)?


Bell vs. Larson: A rivalry steeped in dirt

Both Larson and Bell have deep roots in dirt racing, with their careers springboarding from Keith Kunz Motorsports. Bell’s three-peat at the Chili Bowl remains a benchmark, while Larson—despite winning back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021—still finds himself chasing his rival’s record.

This year, Bell proved he hasn’t lost his edge, dominating the O’Reilly Race of Champions with surgical precision. Meanwhile, Larson and his teammate Tyler Courtney struggled to keep pace, leaving questions about whether Larson can reclaim the top spot in the final.


A tough qualifying run: Larson speaks out

Larson’s journey to the A-Main hasn’t been without hurdles. While he secured a solid starting position, the Hendrick Motorsports ace openly admitted his dissatisfaction with his qualifying performance.

“I’d rather start in first or second,” Larson told Frontstretch. “There’s a lot of good cars behind us. We’ll have to execute a good 40 laps. It’s tough, but I’m confident we can make it work.”

Larson also took a swipe at the Chili Bowl’s current format, arguing that earlier systems made for better fan experiences and fairer racing. “I really liked the format from a few years ago when only the top two cars advanced. It was more exciting for the fans and better for the drivers. Now, it feels a bit uneven,” he added.


The Paul Silva factor: A winning formula?

One thing working in Larson’s favor is his trusted partnership with crew chief Paul Silva. After an underwhelming 2024 Chili Bowl attempt with Keith Kunz Motorsports, Larson reunited with Silva—widely regarded as one of dirt racing’s sharpest minds. Together, they’ve already tasted success with an A-Main preliminary victory.

“Things didn’t work out early, but I was able to methodically work my way back forward,” Larson explained. “Paul always figures it out, and I’m confident we’ll be ready for Saturday.”

Tyler Courtney, another Silva Motorsports driver and close friend of Larson, also provides a unique edge. Larson admitted that working alongside Courtney has helped refine his approach. “I thought Sunshine [Courtney] and I had similar styles, but we’re quite a bit different. It’s been a good learning experience.”


Can Larson dethrone Bell?

Larson faces an uphill battle against Bell, who’s riding high on momentum and the confidence of a champion. Bell’s seamless return to dirt racing has left many wondering if Larson can rise to the occasion or if the pressure of reclaiming his former glory will weigh him down.

However, Larson thrives in high-stakes situations. His resilience, coupled with Silva’s expertise, makes him a formidable contender. Still, the question lingers: will it be enough to surpass Bell?

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