Christopher Bell Opens Chili Bowl Nationals with Race of Champions Win

Christopher Bell is the first big winner of Chili Bowl Nationals week, continuing his triumphant return to dirt racing.

Just eight days ago, Christopher Bell won the Non-Wing Outlaw Golden Driller during the Tulsa Shootout at the SageNet Center, dueling with fellow NASCAR Cup Series star Kyle Larson for the win.

Video: Christopher Bell Triumphs in Epic Battle Against Kyle Larson for Tulsa Shootout Win

On the opening night of the Chili Bowl Nationals, Bell scored another win in the O’Reilly Invitational Race of Champions, the third of his career in that event.

A staple of Monday night at the Chili Bowl, the Race of Champions features past Chili Bowl winners, champions from dirt racing series across the country, and other standouts.

The Oklahoma native led wire-to-wire in the 25-lap race, benefitting from a four-car invert of qualifying results after Tanner Thorson set fast time. A little more than a week after saying “Thank you, Joe Gibbs” during his Tulsa Shootout interview, Christopher Bell had more gratitude to share.

“Thank you, Tanner. That was friendly of you,” joked Bell. “I freaking love this place, man. It is the greatest. I’m just glad I get to be here with all you great race fans. This is just so much fun. So fun to be able to come back and run these dirt cars.

Bell’s preliminary night is Thursday night, when he hopes to secure his spot in the championship A-Main on Saturday night with a top-two finish. While the Race of Champions is largely an exhibition with no impact on the rest of the week and the pursuit of the Golden Driller, it is a confidence booster entering the rest of the week.

“It’s taking me a little bit to get my midget shoes underneath me. I’m really glad I had that race to help better myself for Thursday.”

However, that confidence can’t be mistaken for resting on his laurels. While Bell is a three-time Chili Bowl Nationals winner, none of those victories came in the same year he was won the Race of Champions.

“I’ve been in this position many times where I run really well early in the week, on Thursday in my prelim or the Race of Champions. The track is always different whenever it comes Saturday night A-Main time. It’s a great start, for sure. I’m going to have to be on my game and do everything right to win this race on Saturday night.”

Daison Pursley finished second, with Thorson rounding out the podium.

Kyle Larson started and finished seventh in the Race of Champions. Larson is also taking part in Monday’s 2nd Opinion Qualifying Night, winning his heat race and finishing second to Ashton Torgerson in Qualifier 3.

-Photo credit: FloRacing Broadcast

O’Reilly Invitational Race of Champions Results