Christopher Bell defends title, wins 2018 Chili Bowl Nationals main feature
By Nick Tylwalk
If Christopher Bell takes to the XFINITY Series in 2018 like he has midget racing, everyone better look out.
Christopher Bell is tough to beat in trucks and already has one XFINITY Series victory in just eight career starts. But he might be even more difficult to defeat behind the wheel of a midget car, especially when it’s Chili Bowl time.
Despite a field full of experienced midget racers and NASCR stars, Bell successfully defended his 2017 crown and won his second straight Chili Bowl Nationals A-Main Feature. Bell started second behind pole-sitter Kyle Larson but crossed the line first. Fellow two-time Chili Bowl winner Rico Abreu finished second.
Larson looked fast during the entire event but ended up with a DNF after suffering apparent engine failure while in the lead with 15 laps remaining in the A-Main. He ended up finishing 19th. That was still better than other NASCAR drivers fared, as Kasey Kahne, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (who flipped on Saturday night but was okay) and Justin Allgaier all failed to make the big show.
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The Chili Bowl Nationals is often known as the “Super Bowl” of midget racing and has been taking place in Tulsa since 1987. NASCAR drivers who have won the A-Main in previous years include Dave Blaney and Tony Stewart (twice, most recently in 2007).
Next year’s event is scheduled for Jan. 14-19.