Expanded Swindell Lineup Among Latest Round Of Chili Bowl Entrants
Story By: BRYAN HULBERT / CHILI BOWL NATIONALS – TULSA, OK – With the 40th annual Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink sitting just over a month away, the entry list for the “World Greatest Midget Race” has exploded to over 200 ahead of the December 5 discount deadline.
Sitting at 249 published entries, the latest round of entrants features two-time event champion, Logan Seavey, who is one of four drivers racing for Jo and Kevin Swidnell in 2026. A single-car affair since starting their own team, the addition of three more cars includes 2025 USAC Amsoil Sprint Car National Champion, Kyle Cummins, as well as Emerson Axsom and Chili Bowl rookie, Jett Barnes.
Seavey joins defending Chili Bowl Champion Kyle Larson, along with five-time event winner, Sammy Swindell on the entry list, with several national touring champions also making their presence known.
Six-time ASCS National Champion, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. returns after a 2025 absence. Australian Speed Car Champion, Kaidon Brown, will be behind the wheel of a Christopher Bell backed entry, along with Lucas Oil Late Model regular season titlist, Ricky Thornton, Jr. rolling with Reinbold/Underwood Motorsports.
Taking the top spot with the All Star Circuit of Champions, Kalib Henry is also a recent addition with Joyner Motorsports. Winning the final NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship event in 2025, and looking to carry that momentum into Tulsa, Turkey Night Grand Prix winner, Corey Day, will bring the Willie Kahne/Worth Mopar-powered No. 41 back for another shot at a Golden Driller.
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 in Tulsa, Okla.
Quick Notes:
What: 40th annual Chili Bowl Nationals
When: January 12-17, 2026
Where: SageNet Center (Tulsa, Okla.)
Chili Bowl Nationals Champions:
Year – Driver (Owner)
2025 – Kyle Larson (Paul Silva)
2024 – Logan Seavey (Kevin & Jordan Swindell/Curb/Bertrand)
2023 – Logan Seavey (Kevin & Jordan Swindell/Curb/Bertrand)
2022 – Tanner Thorson (Andy Reinbold)
2021 – Kyle Larson (Kyle Larson Openwheel)
2020 – Kyle Larson (Kyle Larson Openwheel, LLC-Mike Larson)
2019 – Christopher Bell (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2018 – Christopher Bell (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2017 – Christopher Bell (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2016 – Rico Abreu (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2015 – Rico Abreu (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2014 – Bryan Clauson (Joe Dooling/Rusty Kunz/Curb Records)
2013 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2012 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2011 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2010 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2009 – Sammy Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2008 – Damion Gardner (Jason Leffler)
2007 – Tony Stewart (Tony Stewart Motorsports)
2006 – Tim McCreadie (Steve Smith)
2005 – Tracy Hines (Wilke – Pak)
2004 – Cory Kruseman (Andy Bondio)
2003 – Dan Boorse (Dan Boorse)
2002 – Tony Stewart (Keith Kunz)
2001 – Jay Drake (Keith Kunz)
2000 – Cory Kruseman (Andy Bondio)
1999 – Dan Boorse (Dan Boorse)
1998 – Sammy Swindell (Pete Willoughby)
1997 – Billy Boat (John Lawson)
1996 – Sammy Swindell (Rusty Kunz / Jay McKinnie)
1995 – Donnie Beechler (Zarounian Motorsports)
1994 – Andy Hillenburg (Keith Kunz / Rusty Kunz)
1993 – Dave Blaney (Ralph Potter)
1992 – Sammy Swindell (Dave Ellis)
1991 – Lealand McSpadden (Andy Bondio)
1990 – John Heydenreich (Tony Finley)
1989 – Sammy Swindell (Jack Runyon)
1988 – Scott Hatton (Jerry Hatton)
1987 – Rich Vogler (Bob Lowe)
O’Reilly Auto Parts Race of Champions: Christopher Bell (2025, 2021, 2020), Logan Seavey (2024), Spencer Bayston (2023), Justin Grant (2022), Tanner Thorson (2019 and 2016), Chad Boat (2018), Kyle Larson (2017 and 2014), Sammy Swindell (2015, 2012, 2011, 2009), Kevin Swindell (2013), Brad Loyet (2010)
