2024 Chili Bowl Nationals
Reviewing this year's entry list for the 2024 Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa
As 2023 rolls into 2024, it’s time for an annual tradition (since 1987) in Tulsa, Oklahoma - The Chili Bowl Nationals. For those whose motorsports prowess doesn’t wander outside of the NASCAR realm, The Chili Bowl is a week-long Midget event that will see 200+ entrants compete for the Golden Driller trophy and $20,000.
While the majority of these racers will come from the greater Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro areas, the prestige of this event attracts dirt racers from all over the country, including several NASCAR drivers like previous winners Kyle Larson (2021, 2020), Christopher Bell (2019, 2018, 2017), Tony Stewart (2007, 2002), and Dave Blaney (1993).
Thus, let’s review this year’s entry list and see which NASCAR drivers, plus other notable dirt racers, are using their downtime in January to compete in Tulsa for this year’s title.
Notable 2024 Chili Bowl Entrants
Sammy Swindell: five-time champion of The Chili Bowl
Chase Briscoe: SHR Cup Series driver
Josh Bilicki: Drove for Live Fast Racing last season in spot starts
J.J. Yeley: RWR part-time driver, storied dirt track racer
Shane Golobic: ran for Live Fast in the 2021 Bristol Dirt race
Dillon Welch: NBC Sports pit reporter
Jesse Love: 2023 ARCA Menards Series Champion
Tanner Thorson: 2022 Chili Bowl Champion
If this highlight list feels a tad underwhelming, it should, especially compared to past years. However, the running theme has been fewer and fewer NASCAR drivers making the trek to Oklahoma, simply because the payout structure is hard to justify in light of the time and effort drivers and teams will need to spend to win. Kyle Larson has said as much in the past about his absence, and with multiple titles on his resume, drivers like him and Bell have no reason to return until payouts go higher. For some perspective, check out the payouts for the 2024 High Limit Racing schedule where $20,000 is a standard payout in its weekly/ multi-weekly schedule.
For my dirt racing enthusiasts, you can stream all six days via FLO Racing while the championship event will air live on MAV TV.