TULSA, Okla. — The field for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions on night one of the Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink has been revealed.
Set to be the 18th edition of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions, this year’s field includes defending and three-time race winner Christopher Bell, who is among the 23 entries for the 25-lap affair.
The field for the Jan. 12 event is comprised of Chili Bowl winners, series champions and invited talent.
Spencer Bayston, Sammy Swindell, Corey Day, Logan Seavey, Kyle Larson, Ryan Timms, Buddy Kofoid and Tanner Thorson are among those competing.
The starting lineup for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race Of Champions will be set by group qualifying.
The 40th annual Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink takes place January 12-17, 2026, under the giant roof of the SageNet Center.
O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions Roster
Sammy Swindell – A legend of the sport, and the winningest driver in Chili Bowl history.
Spencer Bayston – Winner of the 2023 O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions.
Jesse Love – Invited to compete as the 2025 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion.
Kaylee Bryson – Invited to compete as the 2025 Trans Am GTX Champion. Kaylee is also the first woman to ever lock into Saturday night’s A-Feature.
Sam Hafertepe Jr. – Invited as the 2025 National Champion of the American Sprint Car Series. He is now a six-time titlist with the series.
Shane Golobic – A lot of solid runs atop Tulsa Expo Raceway clay, last year’s podium finish locked Shane into the 2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions.
Ricky Thornton Jr. – Invited to compete as the 2025 regular season champion of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
Kaidon Brown – Invited to compete as the now two-time Australian Speedcar Champion.
Christopher Bell – The three-time Chili Bowl powered by NOS Energy Drink Champion, Bell, enters this year as an owner/driver.
Kalib Henry – With the Napa Auto Parts All Stars Circuit of Champions presented by Valvoline back in full swing, the invite is again extended to their champion, and in 2025, that was Kalib.
Emerson Axsom – Winner of Wednesday’s York Plumbing Qualifying Night in 2025.
Kyle Cummins – Invited to compete as the 2025 USAC Amsoil Sprint Car National Champion.
Logan Seavey – Back-to-back Chili Bowl powered by NOS Energy Drink champion in 2023 and 2024, Seavey also picked up Friday’s Hard Rock Hotel Casino, Tulsa preliminary night in 2025.
Corey Day – Meeting criteria via a third-place finish in 2024, the defending Turkey Night Grand Prix champion will go full-time in 2026 in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for Hendrick Motorsports.
Kyle Larson – The defending Champion of the Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink, as well as 2025 NASCAR Cup Series titlist.
Landon Brooks – Tuesday’s Warren CAT qualifying night win lands the California driver in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions
Jacob Denney – Invited to compete as the 2026 Xtreme Outlaw Midget and POWRi Midget National Champion.
Ryan Timms – Invited to compete as the 2025 winner of the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s.
Buddy Kofoid – Getting the nod from his runner-up finish in 2024, Kofoid is also the 2025 New Zealand Midget champion, which he also topped in 2024.
Cannon McIntosh – Invited to compete as the 2025 USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Champion.
Daison Pursley – A runner-up finish in the 2025 championship event and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions puts Daison in this year’s showdown.
Justin Grant – Invited to compete as the 2025 USAC Silver Crown Champion.
Tanner Thorson – Champion of the Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink in 2022, Thorson also won Thursday’s Hasty Bake qualifying night in 2025.
