Chili Bowl: Kyle Larson wins Monday ‘A’ Main Prelim Race

The 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals officially got underway Monday night with a full slate of racing, highlighted by the first of five preliminary nights and the Race of Champions.

Kyle Larson charged from his fourth starting spot to take the lead from polesitter Cannon McIntosh on Lap 10 and held off a charge from Briggs Danner late to secure his ninth career prelim night victory. Danner came out on top of a fierce battle with McIntosh to finish second and lock in to the Saturday main event.

A 9th prelim win (all-time record). Nobody in the 40-year history of the Chili Bowl Nationals has won more preliminary features than Larson.

With the win, Larson punched his ticket to Saturday night’s feature race.

For the second straight year, NASCAR Cup Series star Christopher Bell put on a clinic during the Chili Bowl Nationals O’Reilly Auto Parts Race of Champions. Bell, piloting his self-owned race car for the first time, led every lap of the 25-lap race to score his fourth win in the annual invitational race.

Chili Bowl Monday ‘A’ Main Prelim Results

2026 Chili Bowl Race of Champions Results