Christopher Bell is (obviously) no slouch when it comes to the Chili Bowl Nationals at the Tulsa Expo Center.
On Monday, the NASCAR Cup Series full-timers collection of Golden Drillers trophies continued to grow, with the Norman, Oklahoma-native taking a victory in the Race of Champions.
It wasn’t easy, but @CBellRacing goes wire-to-wire for back-to-back Race of Champions victories at the #ChiliBowl powered by @NosEnergyDrink! pic.twitter.com/PrT5EuGicT
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 13, 2026
Bell, driving the Rheem-sponsored No. 21, had an absolutely stunning Monday; posting the fastest lap in qualifying, then drawing the “0” for the invert, and then pacing the field in a wire-to-wire domination of the yearly celebration of dirt and pavement racing champions alike.
The one major difference this year for Bell, as he chases his fourth victory in the Chili Bowl Nationals? He’s driving his own Midget and not competing for one of the superteams like Keith Kunz Motorsports or CB Industries.
A full-time competitor for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, Bell says that he and his crew, which includes himself and his father-in-law, have been wrenching on this car since returning from the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway in November.
“It just makes everything a lot more stressful,” Bell said post-race about winning in his own racecar. “I was about ready to puke before the race, wondering if it’s right, if it’s wrong, what are we doing? I think it just makes it a lot more rewarding, and last year, when I won that [Tulsa Shootout] in my Micro [Sprint], I was like this is the enjoyment you get from being part of the whole process.”
The victory marks the fourth in the Chili Bowl Nationals Race of Champions for Bell, tying him for the most all-time with Sammy Swindell. However, as Bell noted in a post-race interview, he has never won the Race of Champions and the Saturday main event in the same year.
“I’ve been so fortunate to come here with Keith Kunz Motorsports, with Chad Boat and drive amazing racecars with great crew chiefs, and it’s just a lot different when it’s all on you,” Bell continued. “You gotta make sure everything’s right, and it just makes the triumph sweeter.
Shane Golobic attempted to hunt down Bell throughout the final laps of the 25-lap feature, as Bell ran into lapped traffic, but to no avail. Logan Seavy was just behind and finished in third-place.
Ryan Timms was fourth and Spencer Bayston rounded out the top-five. Tanner Thorson, defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, Emerson Axsom, Daison Pursley, and Michael Pickens rounded out the top-10.
There was only one incident during the 25-lap event, that being full-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Corey Day, who cartwheeled his No. 4 in Turns 3 and 4 while running inside the top-10.
Jesse Love, defending champion of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, finished 16th in the Race of Champions. ARCA Menards Series part-timer Kaylee Bryson finished 20th.
