Chili’s Turns Up the Heat: A Major Partnership for the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals
In a move that feels destined to happen, Chili’s Grill & Bar has officially partnered with FloRacing to sponsor the exclusive coverage of the 40th Annual Chili Bowl Nationals. This isn’t just a logo slapped on a turn wall. It is a comprehensive integration that will change how fans consume the week-long marathon of racing.
If you have ever spent a frigid January week inside the SageNet Center in Tulsa for the, you know the atmosphere is unlike anything else in motorsports. The fumes, the deafening roar of midget cars, and the sheer number of race fans packed into the Expo Center create a sensory overload that we look forward to all year.
For a long time, fans have cracked jokes about the obvious naming connection, asking when a certain famous restaurant chain would get involved with the “Super Bowl of Midget Racing.”Well, the wait is finally over.
A Perfect Pairing For The Golden Driller
The timing feels right. Dirt racing is currently enjoying a massive surge in popularity, transcending its grassroots origins to capture a national spotlight. We saw it last year when NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch made his historic debut at the event, bringing a wave of new eyes to the sport. Now, with the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals scheduled to run from January 12–17, Chili’s is stepping in to amplify that momentum.
For the fans watching at home on FloRacing, this partnership brings tangible benefits to the broadcast. Chili’s will serve as the title sponsor for a new live pre-show. If you know anything about the Chili Bowl, you know the storylines change minute-by-minute. Having a dedicated pre-show to break down the heats, the drama, and the “alphabet soup” transfers is a huge win for viewers.
Even better is the talent attached to this coverage. The pre-show is set to feature a rotating cast of NASCAR heavyweights, including Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Carson Hocevar, Tony Stewart, and Chase Briscoe. Hearing insights from guys who have actually held the steering wheel while sliding sideways on that clay brings a level of authenticity you just can’t fake.
Chili’s Road to the Chili Bowl
Beyond the live Chili Bowl broadcast, the partnership with Chili’s is producing original content that dives deeper into the sport. FloRacing is launching a multi-part series titled “Chili’s Road to Chili Bowl.” For years, the stories of how drivers prepare for this grueling week, often building cars in chilly garages late into the night, have been some of the most compelling narratives in racing. Giving those stories a platform with a major sponsor behind them is a significant step forward.
On the track, you will see the famous chili pepper logo flying around the clay as well. Gio Scelzi, a rising talent with high speed, will be piloting a Chili ‘s-backed entry for Spire Motorsports. It is a significant marker of how the lines between big-league NASCAR teams and grassroots dirt racing continue to blur in the best way possible.
Why This Matters for Dirt Racing
It is easy to get caught up in the corporate side of things, but step back and look at what this means for the health of the sport. The Chili Bowl has always been a proving ground. It draws over 300 entrants, ranging from local heroes who scraped together enough cash for an engine to superstars like Larson and Bell, who come back simply because they love the competition.
Tim Forman, the Director of Media for Chili’s, noted that the brand is drawn to passionate fanbases. There is perhaps no fanbase more passionate or vocal than the dirt racing community. By investing in this event and partnering with Spire and FloRacing, a major national brand is validating what we have known for decades: this is some of the most exciting racing on the planet.
How to Catch the Action
The 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink will be streamed exclusively on FloRacing. The partnership with Chili’s ensures that fans won’t miss a lap, from the first heat race on Monday to the final checkered flag of Saturday night A-Main.
Whether you are watching on the FloSports app, Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV, the coverage this year promises to be more robust than ever. The Golden Driller is the most coveted trophy in dirt racing, and the road to claiming it just got a little more flavor. See you in Tulsa.
