Breaking: Ferrucci breaks through at Chili Bowl, while De Silvestro targets Winter Games
Tulsa, Okla. — Santino ferrucci surged too his first heat-race win at the Chili Bowl Nationals, a landmark moment at one of America’s most storied short-track events. The AJ Foyt Racing driver claimed the second heat on Friday, jan. 16, after drawing pole at the SageNet center, marking his sixth attempt in the indoor midget classic.
Ferrucci celebrated on the track just as the late- birthday milestone for his INDYCAR boss, A.J.Foyt, rang in. “This is for A.J.,” Ferrucci said afterward, noting that a win from pole would have earned a similar shout-out. The moment underscored his momentum entering the event’s grueling ladder system, where drivers advance through multiple mains to reach the feature race.
competing in his Abacus Racing entry, Ferrucci navigated the event’s unique “alphabet soup” of mains, earning transfers from the J and I Mains before being eliminated in the H2 Main, finishing 11th.While the run did not culminate in a feature appearance, it reinforced Ferrucci’s resilience at a race that has long tested even seasoned indoor specialists. Emerson Axsom ultimately captured the Golden Driller trophy as the Chili Bowl headline on Jan. 17.
In other motorsports news this week, former NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver simona de Silvestro punched her ticket to the Winter Olympic Games in bobsledding. The Swiss-born racer has qualified to compete for Italy in both the monobob and two-woman events when the Games unfold in Milan-Cortina from Feb. 6–22. De Silvestro, 37, rose to fame in the IndyCar ranks with Rookie of the Year honors in 2010 and a career-best finish of second in Houston in 2013 across 71 series starts.
Detroit Auto show spotlight: IndyCar stars on Racing Day
Four NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers appeared at Racing Day during the Detroit Auto Show on Jan. 20, including David Malukas (Team Penske), Rinus VeeKay (Juncos Hollinger Racing), Kyffin Simpson (Chip Ganassi Racing), and Marcus Armstrong (meyer Shank Racing). the group is set to race the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on May 29–31 along downtown Detroit’s streets.On the show floor, the drivers offered ride-alongs in production vehicles, participated in Q&A sessions, and signed autographs, with the Astor Challenge Cup also on display as the championship centerpiece.
The weekend’s events underscored the cross-pollination between American open-wheel racing and international competition, as drivers showcased versatility beyond the usual race format and looked ahead to a busy 2026 schedule.
Key facts in brief
| Story Beat | Details |
|---|---|
| Santinos Ferrucci at Chili Bowl | Second heat win on Jan. 16 in Tulsa; pole position from SageNet Center; sixth indoor midget attempt; finished 11th in H2 Main; Emerson Axsom won the feature on Jan. 17 |
| Simona de Silvestro to Winter Olympics | Qualifies to race for Italy in monobob and two-woman bobsled; Milan-Cortina Games, Feb. 6–22; 37-year-old former INDYCAR driver |
| Detroit auto Show spotlight | Four INDYCAR drivers appeared for Racing Day; Detroit Grand Prix set for May 29–31; ride-alongs,Q&A,autographs; Astor Cup on display |
evergreen context
The Chili Bowl remains a proving ground for short-track specialists,with success frequently enough translating into broader opportunities in American motorsports. De silvestro’s Olympic qualification highlights a growing trend of athletes crossing disciplines to compete at the highest levels, while Detroit’s auto-show fan engagement underscores how major events can amplify a driver’s profile ahead of a busy season.
What this means for readers
As Ferrucci chases consistency at high-profile indoor races and De Silvestro extends her multi-sport career, fans can expect a year of crossovers, international competition, and precision driving across venues from Tulsa to Milan-Cortina and Detroit’s streets.
How do you think Ferrucci’s Chili Bowl run will influence his INDYCAR performance in 2026? And will De Silvestro’s Olympic path inspire more racers to pursue multi-discipline challenges?
Share your thoughts below and join the discussion.
