After announcing the 2022 Chili Bowl Nationals had surpassed a record number of entries, the event has released its preliminary night rosters for the five nights of action prior to championship Saturday.
The full lists for each night can be found on the official website, but we highlighted some of the notable entries here.
Monday Night
Defending Monday winner: Cannon McIntosh
McIntosh will look to repeat his Monday night qualifying win for the third-straight night this year with Dave Mac-Dalby Motorsports and he’ll have some big names alongside him.
The World of Outlaws’ David Gravel and the modified top tier pilot in Nick Hoffman will run on Monday. Tanner Carrick will be a contender to dethrone the driver of the 08.
On the asphalt side, two of NASCAR’s stars, Chase Briscoe and Chase Elliott, will race on opening night along with back-to-back ARCA West champion Jesse Love Jr. who will be in a Keith Kunz Motorsports car like Carrick.
The rookie to watch will be 13-year old Gavan Boschele in his event debut.
Tuesday Night
Defending Tuesday winner: Kyle Larson
Larson, the 2-time and reigning champion of the Chili Bowl Nationals, has won every Tuesday night prelim since 2018, tallying four wins in a row on day 2 of the week.
The night might be the most packed of the entire week. The last three USAC Midget champions in Tyler Courtney, Chris Windom and Buddy Kofoid will compete against Larson, as will Gateway Dirt Nationals winner Jonathan Beason.
Fan favorite Thomas Meseraull is back with RMS Racing.
Last season’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion Tim McCreadie will race for Daugherty Motorsports and IndyCar veteran Santino Ferrucci will be in a Dave Mac-Dalby car.
Rising female star Kaylee Bryson will return in a Keith Kunz Motorsports car and Zeb Wise will run for Matt Wood Racing.
Wednesday Night
Defending Wednesday winner: Rico Abreu
Sprint car stars highlight night 3 of this year’s Chili Bowl Nationals with Rico Abreu kicking off his 2022 season and inching closer and closer to running a full tour with the World of Outlaws.
The series’ 2021 champion in Brad Sweet will take to the track alongside longtime great Sammy Swindell, as well as rising stars Parker Price-Miller, Justin Peck and Anthony Macri. Not to mention Kevin Thomas Jr., who will throw a wing on his car this season.
Knoxville Raceway standout Brooke Tatnell will race in the event for the first time in his career, as well as NASCAR Truck Series driver Carson Hocevar.
Chase Randall is back for his second year in Tulsa and 15-year old Ryan Timms will make his Chili Bowl debut as well.
Thursday Night
Defending Thursday winner: Christopher Bell
Three-time Chili Bowl champion Christopher Bell will try once again to stop Larson and regain his throne at the newly named SageNet Center.
A pair of names that have shined in Tulsa recently will face off with him Thursday – Jason McDougal had his alphabet soup run a year ago and Emerson Axsom was the story of the Tulsa Shootout. Shane Golobic and Brady Bacon are no strangers to the track either.
Knoxville Raceway’s Carson McCarl will race for the second time in the event, and 2022 World of Outlaws rookie of the year contender Spencer Bayston will race on night 4 as well.
A pair of young rookies in Brenham Crouch and Brent Crews will make their first Chili Bowl starts, as well.
Friday Night
Defending Friday winner: Justin Grant
Friday will see RMS Racing’s Justin Grant race once more to try and earn him a spot the night before championship Saturday, turning it into a traditional two-night, weekend show.
He’ll take on familiar winged names in Daryn Pittman, Cory Eliason, and Tucker Klaasmeyer.
For the fender fans both World of Outlaws Late Model series director Casey Shuman and Iowa native Ricky Thornton Jr. will represent. Another Iowan in Robert Bell will race as well.
Friday his heavy with NASCAR names as Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Ryan Ellis will join IndyCar’s Conor Daly on the track.
One driver to watch that made some waves a year ago, Anthony Esberg, is back for a second go at the Chili Bowl.
Night 1 of the action kicks off on Monday, January 10 and all of it can be seen throughout the week, live on FloRacing.
