Christopher Bell will make his long-awaited return to the Chili Bowl Nationals in 2025, according to a source close to the Joe Gibbs Racing driver — his new teammate, Chase Briscoe.
The new driver of the No. 19 JGR Toyota broke the news Tuesday morning that the three-time winner of the prestigious indoor midget race would make his return to Tulsa, Oklahoma after a two-year hiatus. Bell had been sidelined from the event after JGR halted its drivers from extracurricular racing, a restriction recently lifted by the team.
Bell confirmed the rumor himself, but there’s a backstory to why it was Briscoe breaking the news. In a June press conference at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Bell accidentally let slip that Briscoe would be a Gibbs teammate in 2025 … which was rumored at the time but far from confirmed by the team at that point. Bell later officially introduced Briscoe at the press conference announcing the move, and Briscoe was able to repay the favor with the Chili Bowl news.
The Oklahoma native will look to reclaim his throne after a bit of a drought following three straight Chili Bowl victories from 2017-19, just the second driver to achieve such a feat after Kevin Swindell’s record four straight wins. Friendly rival Kyle Larson won the two following Bells three-peat, with Tanner Thorson and Logan Seavey (two) combining to win the most recent three.
Bell’s return adds another chapter to his compelling rivalry with Larson in addition to an already stacked field that so far includes the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champ, Briscoe and two-time Cup champion Kyle Busch. Larson was recently asked if Bell could face initial challenges after his time away from dirt racing but maintains confidence in his longtime rival’s abilities.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins his first race back,” Larson noted, setting the stage for another potential showdown between the two dirt racing titans.
The Chili Bowl Nationals start Jan. 12, 2025, and run through Jan. 18, with coverage on FloRacing.
This news appeared first on @nascar
