After NASCAR Heartbreak, Kyle Larson’s Chili Bowl Return in Doubt as International Tour Beckons

It is hard to quantify if Kyle Larson’s 2024 NASCAR season was a success or not. While he was the driver with the highest number of wins (6), the Round of 8 and the playoffs proved to be a tough nut for him to crack. Larson wasn’t able to convert the race in the playoffs like he did in the regular season, which eventually saw him miss out on making the championship 4.

Although the NASCAR season has drawn its curtain, Larson is one of the few racers who doesn’t really enjoy the off-season. Rather, he is out on the road racing on the dirt or the Late Models. However, going by his schedule for the next few months, it seems like his participation at the historic midget race Chili Bowl is still uncertain.

Kyle Larson is already committed to USAC events and an international trip to Australia

Larson is one of the few talented NASCAR drivers who can race in almost anything that runs on four wheels and an engine. He might be a championship-caliber driver on the asphalt, but the same can be said for the dirt tracks. Yung Money honed his race craft competing at USAC, World of Outlaws. His love for sprint car racing even saw him launch his own racing series, High Limit Racing, which is now going international.

The HMS star will be joining Jason Pryde Motorsport for the three-day event at Perth Motorplex on December 28-30. Although Larson has raced in Australia and New Zealand this visit to Perth will be his first. It was his brother-in-law and co-owner of High Limit Racing, Brad Sweet, who managed to set up this feature for him.

“I was really reliant on Brad Sweet; he had spent a few weeks down there this past season racing in Perth. So I relied on him to find who would be the best available car owner for me to get lined up with. I’m really excited to see that side of Australia; I’ve never been to that side of the country. It will be a good time.” Kyle Larson said this is in a press release, as quoted by Flo Racing. So the month of December is indeed going to be busy for him.

But that’s not the only racing event Larson has scheduled for the end of 2024. He has confirmed that he will be competing in three USAC National Midget races, teaming up with Silva Motorsports. The three events are spread across Merced Speedway, Bakersfield, and the Ventura Raceway from November 26-30, 2024. However, he has yet to confirm his participation in the 39th running of the Chili Bowl Nationals, which is scheduled from 13-18 January 2025.

While there is still uncertainty about Kyle Larson’s Chili Bowl appearance, the other Kyle—Kyle Busch took the racing community by surprise by announcing his participation in the historic event.

Kyle Busch is all set to make his Chili Bowl Nationals debut

Tony Stewart, Christopher Bell, and Kyle Larson are the select few NASCAR drivers who have competed at the iconic midget racing event. However, Kyle Busch, who has been invested and focused on his son’s dirt and kart racing for the past few years, seems to have finally found the motivation to have a go at the Chili Bowl Nationals.

“The Cup season may be over, but the racing season is still in full swing, with the biggest events on dirt taking place over the next couple of months. The Chili Bowl is a legendary event and has always been on my wish list. To be able to compete there, and then alongside my son Brexton at the Tulsa Shootout, is making this year one to remember,” Busch said to Flo Racing.

However, he isn’t too optimistic about his chances to follow in the footsteps of Larson in winning the event and has set realistic expectations. “I would say you would have to go in with open expectations. I mean, there’s no way you’re gonna say I’m gonna make the A-main and win the A-main. The competition level and all of that is just so high. I’d say you go with an open mind and shoot for a C-main or B-main and maybe get yourself to A-main,” he added further.

Kyle Larson battling against his NASCAR foe Kyle Busch at the Chili Bowl would’ve been a sight to behold. But, with no clarity on Larons’s participation, it is difficult to say whether or not fans will witness this battle at the Tulsa Expo Raceway.