Bell wins to keep Toyota perfect at Chili Bowl

TULSA, Okla. Christopher Bell used the Chili Bowl a year ago to open the biggest season of his career.

He’s got a chance now to defend his victory, and perhaps launch yet another breakthrough for one of NASCAR’s upcoming stars.

Bell scored a dominating win in Thursday night’s qualifying event at the Chili Bowl to earn one of the automatic berths into the main event at the Tulsa Expo Center. The 55lap Saturday night feature is the Super Bowl of midget racing.

Some 11 hours before his victory, Bell posted on Twitter: “The most nervous day of the year has arrived,” regarding his qualifying chance at the Chili Bowl. Bell’s win last year was the first of the season in which he went on to win five races and the championship in NASCAR’s Truck Series. He also won a race in the Xfinity Series, and earned a promotion to Joe Gibbs Racing for a full-time ride in NASCAR this year.