As of today, in the middle of July, two-time event champion Kyle Larson says that he won’t be racing in the 2023 Chili Bowl Nationals.
The big name driver told Racing America, “I’m just at the point where I want to see the purse grow a lot. So, for the time being, and unless that happens, I won’t be running it this year and I know there are a lot of racers that feel the same way.”
There’s been inklings of some of the bigger name drivers not planning on racing in the event because of the purse – which awards $10,000 to the winner of a 300-plus driver week of racing.
That’s the same amount as every World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series race of the season.
Christopher Bell commented on the rumors back in June, saying he wasn’t thinking about the Chili Bowl Nationals yet.
The promoter of the event, Emmett Hahn was also quoted in the story, saying, “If I had concessions and didn’t have to pay rent, I’d be able to pay more money than what it pays. I hate to hear they feel that way, but I’m not just going to give them $50,000 like they want because we don’t have it. At the same time, I don’t like hearing that it’s not as big of a race because of the purse because what other race is creating NASCAR careers like this one is?”
Hahn also spoke about Bell, “Bell started this crap two years ago and it’s just a shame because no one has called me,” Hahn says. “They have my number. Chase Elliott has my number. I’m really easy to get a hold of, and I would have this conversation with them too but they’ve all gone straight to the media. (Larson) would rather go to that race in (New Mexico) and that’s what this is really about. I would hate it for fans who wanted to see them, but this race grew without them and will continue to grow if that’s what they choose.”
Before commenting on this synopsis of the report from Matt Weaver of Racing America, please read the full story here.
