TULSA, Okla. — Two-time Chili Bowl Nationals winner Kyle Larson is the only winner of the prestigious event in the field during Monday night’s 2nd Opinion Auto Qualifying Night.
The 39th Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink at the SageNet Center opens its six-night run with a full card of preliminary night qualifying action capped by a 30-lap feature and also includes the annual running of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions, which features 19 drivers (including Larson) this season.
Larson, who won the Chili Bowl back-to-back in 2020 and 2021 will steer Paul Silva’s No. 1k midget in pursuit of Saturday night’s $20,000 top prize.
“You have to go forward every time you are on the track,” Larson said during practice on Sunday. “It gets tough on Saturday night, but the prelim nights are so spread out that as long as you do your job, you can be in position. I look forward to it.
“Last year was kind of hectic,” said Larson. “I wasn’t comfortable with things. This year, we are prepared. We have Sunshine (Tyler Courtney) running the other car, too, so that will double the notebook.”
Possibly Larson’s greatest challenger on opening night will be reigning Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series champion Cannon McIntosh, who will wheel the No. 71k machine for Keith Kunz Motorsports Curb-Agajanian.
Among the other contenders on opening night will be Ashton Torgerson, Shane Golobic, Brent Crews, Jerry Coons Jr., Tanner Carrick, Zach Wigal and Justin Peck.
Notables in the Monday night field include late model racer Nick Hoffman, NASCAR racer Josh Bilicki and sprint car veterans Cap Henry, Mario Clouser, Bill Balog, Briggs Danner and Joe B. Miller.
