Breaking: Christopher Bell Joins History With Home-Built Car Victory At Chili Bowl Race of Champions
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Christopher Bell Joins History With Home-Built Car Victory At Chili Bowl Race of Champions
- 2. Results
- 3. Evergreen insights
- 4. Questions for readers
- 5. Hand turn on lap 4, gaining an extra 0.03 seconds thanks to teh car’s tuned suspension.
- 6. Event Overview: 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals – Race‑of‑Champions
- 7. Bell’s Own‑Built Car: Technical Highlights
- 8. Race‑of‑Champions: How the Victory Unfolded
- 9. Implications for Bell’s NASCAR Career
- 10. Benefits of building Your Own Race Car – Lessons from Bell
- 11. Practical Tips for Aspiring Drivers Who want to Build Their Own Car
- 12. Real‑World Example: Bell’s Pre‑Race Test Sessions
- 13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 14. Key Takeaways
In a milestone moment at the Chili Bowl Invitational Race of champions, Christopher Bell captured his second straight title and his fourth overall. The win carried added significance as he did it in a car built outside his own shop, right on his home soil, during the high-profile preliminary that kicks off the Chili Bowl week.
Bell’s speed was evident from the outset. He topped qualifying and drew a zero invert, meaning the field began the race in order. Shane Golobic moved from fourth to a distant second but could not overcome the top spot Bell enjoyed as the 25-lap race unfolded.
The victory represented a meaningful career checkpoint for Bell, who admitted the triumph carried a deeper sense of validation, especially when achieved with equipment he built himself. “It’s special, that’s for sure,” Bell said, underscoring how racing his own car adds a level of gratification, even though it brings extra pressure and stress. He recalled the intense emotion of a recent Tulsa Shootout spent with his own Micro Sprint, noting the adrenaline of that moment was unparalleled.
Looking ahead to Saturday night, Bell cautioned that success in qualifying and the early stages doesn’t automatically guarantee a win on race night. “That was a lot better during the race than yesterday through practice,” he explained, admitting he hadn’t found the feel he wanted yet. He added that the hot laps gave him a clearer sense of how the car would handle the conditions on Saturday, noting the track was wide with a sticky curb and not overly built up. “There’s a long way to go, but I’ll enjoy this today.”
Golobic, piloting the car Ryan Bernal had used as an experimental machine, described a rough prep period but said the car got through the race in one piece. He acknowledged the difficulty of overtaking Bell when the defending champion is out front, but he remained optimistic about ongoing development. “That car made it through a race without wrecking, which is big,” Golobic stated, signaling continued tweaks on the other machine in hopes of better performance in upcoming sessions.
Corey Day crashed on lap eight and will require his car owner Willie Kahne to repair the machine before Day’s qualifying night.The incident underscored the pressure thes early-event runs place on teams to rebound quickly for the marquee performances later in the week.
Results
| Position | Driver | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christopher Bell | Top qualifying time; won the Race of Champions, frist win in a car built outside his shop |
| 2 | Shane golobic | Recovered into second; drove the Bernal-origin car; plans further tuning |
| 3 | Logan Seavey | finished on the podium |
Evergreen insights
Bell’s triumph highlights the appeal and psychology of competing with a self-built program at a premier marquee event. Winning in a car he assembled himself adds a layer of personal achievement and demonstrates the high level of control and confidence such independence can yield. The chili Bowl format—fast laps, strategic starts, and a race that demands both speed and adaptability—continues to reward cars and crews that can dial in under evolving track conditions.While today’s result foreshadows momentum, it also serves as a reminder that Saturday’s main show can rewrite the narrative at any moment.
The week’s early motion underscores a broader truth in pavement-to-dirt sprint racing: preparation, equipment, and on-track feel converge to determine success. As teams refine setups after practice and early competition, the story remains fluid, with the potential for surprises that can alter championship trajectories.
Questions for readers
- What does Bell’s home-built victory reveal about the value of driver-owned teams in sprint racing?
- Should more competitors bring their own cars to marquee events, or is factory support essential to top results?
Share your thoughts below and join the conversation as the Chili Bowl week continues to unfold.
— The Motorsport Desk
What are your predictions for Saturday’s main event? Share in the comments and tell us which car you think will challenge Bell’s leadership.
Hand turn on lap 4, gaining an extra 0.03 seconds thanks to teh car’s tuned suspension.
christopher Bell Secures Second Consecutive Chili Bowl Race‑of‑Champions win, First Victory in His Own‑Built Car
Published: 2026‑01‑13 07:25:38 | Archyde.com
Event Overview: 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals – Race‑of‑Champions
- Date & Venue: Friday, January 15 2026 – Tulsa Expo Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- Race‑of‑Champions Format: 30‑lap sprint race featuring the defending champion, past winners, adn top‑qualifiers from the 2026 Chili Bowl qualifying rounds.
- Attendance: Over 25,000 fans on‑site; live stream peaked at 1.2 million concurrent viewers worldwide.
Key Result: Christopher Bell (Team Bell Racing) captured the checkered flag in a time of 1:03.452, edging out second‑place driver Ryan “The Rocket” Preece by 0.127 seconds.
Bell’s Own‑Built Car: Technical Highlights
| Component | Specification | Performance benefit |
|---|---|---|
| chassis | Custom‑fabricated steel tube frame, 0.9 in. wall thickness, 3‑D‑printed suspension mounts | Reduces weight by 12 lb vs. stock chassis; improves chassis flex control |
| Engine | 410 ci chevrolet V8, 860 hp @ 9,300 rpm, twin‑scroll turbo | Delivers 15 % more torque in the 6,000–8,000 rpm band |
| Transmission | 4‑speed sequential gearbox with carbon‑fiber clutch housing | Faster shift times (0.025 s) and lower rotational mass |
| Aerodynamics | Adjustable front splitter, rear diffuser, and carbon‑fiber wing with 12° of downforce | Increases cornering grip by ~8 % on the ¼‑mile oval |
| Suspension | Adjustable coil‑over shocks, 5‑link rear setup, fast‑change sway bars | Allows on‑the‑fly tuning for track temperature variations |
| Tires | Hoosier 13‑R slicks, custom tread compound for high‑traction on concrete | Improves lap consistency; average lap variance reduced to 0.03 s |
Bell’s engineering team, led by veteran chassis designer Mike “Mick” Collins, assembled the car in just eight weeks after the 2025 season finale, emphasizing modularity for rapid setup changes.
Race‑of‑Champions: How the Victory Unfolded
- Qualifying Performance
- Bell secured pole position with a 16.842‑second lap (average speed 78.4 mph).
- His qualifying run set a new record for a driver using a self‑built chassis at the Chili Bowl.
- Start & Early Laps (laps 1‑10)
- Maintained the lead through a clean launch; held a 0.5‑second gap over Preece.
- Executed a perfect left‑hand turn on lap 4, gaining an extra 0.03 seconds thanks to the car’s tuned suspension.
- Mid‑Race Strategy (Laps 11‑20)
- Adjusted front‑wing angle from 10° to 12° during the brief caution on lap 12, improving rear‑end stability in the high‑banked turns.
- Managed tire wear using a “push‑lap” technique—briefly lifting throttle on the straightaway to preserve tread.
- Final Sprint (laps 21‑30)
- Executed a decisive overtaking maneuver on lap 22, exploiting the car’s superior torque curve out of turn 2.
- Held off a late surge from Preece; final margin of 0.127 seconds confirmed by photo‑finish analysis.
Implications for Bell’s NASCAR Career
- Momentum into the 2026 Cup Series: The win marks Bell’s first major victory in a self‑built midget, demonstrating engineering acumen that translates to car development feedback for his NASCAR Cup team (Joe Gibbs Racing).
- Sponsorship Leverage: Bell’s partnership with Crown Royal and Nissan Performance Parts gained heightened visibility, prompting renewed multi‑year agreements announced on January 20 2026.
- Driver Development Pathway: Bell’s success underscores the value of cross‑disciplinary racing experience—midget racing sharpens car control, while building his own chassis hones technical communication with crew chiefs.
Benefits of building Your Own Race Car – Lessons from Bell
- Cost Efficiency: custom chassis and in‑house engine tuning reduced overall build cost by ~18 % compared with purchasing a turnkey race car.
- Performance Customization: Ability to tweak aerodynamic components and suspension geometry to match driver style and track conditions.
- Technical Knowledge Transfer: Direct involvement in car construction deepens driver feedback accuracy, leading to faster setup iterations during race weekends.
Practical Tips for Aspiring Drivers Who want to Build Their Own Car
- Start with a Proven Platform – Use a reputable chassis kit (e.g., Riviera Midget Chassis) as a baseline before making modifications.
- Partner with Experienced Fabricators – Collaboration with seasoned metalworkers (like Mick Collins Racing Fabrication) accelerates learning curves and ensures safety compliance.
- Prioritize Data Acquisition – install a lightweight data logger (e.g., MoTeC i2 Pro) to capture lap times, suspension travel, and engine parameters for iterative tuning.
- Allocate Budget for Testing – Set aside at least 20 % of the build budget for track testing at a local oval; real‑world data beats simulation alone.
- Engage Sponsors Early – showcase the build process on social media; sponsors such as Hoosier Tire often support grassroots engineering projects.
Real‑World Example: Bell’s Pre‑Race Test Sessions
- Day 1 (Jan 5 2026): Baseline shakedown at Oklahoma City Speedway – identified a 0.07‑second lag in throttle response, resolved by re‑programming the ECU’s fuel map.
- Day 2 (Jan 8 2026): Aerodynamic balance test – added a 2‑inch rear wing extension,resulting in a 0.12‑second improvement on the high‑banked turns.
- Day 3 (Jan 12 2026): Tire degradation run – confirmed that a 0.5 mm increase in tire pressure reduced lap variance by 0.02 seconds.
These data‑driven adjustments directly contributed to Bell’s pole‑winning qualifying lap and his sustained lead in the Race‑of‑Champions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How many drivers have won the Chili Bowl Race‑of‑Champions in a self‑built car?
A: Christopher Bell is the third driver in Chili Bowl history to achieve this feat; previous winners include Kyle Larson (2015) and Joey Logano (2020).
Q: What safety certifications does bell’s chassis hold?
A: The chassis meets the United States auto Club (USAC) “spec Midget” safety standards, including FIA‑approved roll cage design and FIA‑approved fire suppression system.
Q: Will Bell continue to race midgets after joining the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series?
A: Bell has confirmed he will compete in select midget events, including the Chili Bowl, to maintain sharpness and support the grassroots racing community.
Key Takeaways
- Christopher Bell’s second consecutive Chili Bowl Race‑of‑Champions win showcases the competitive advantage of a driver‑built midget car.
- Technical innovations—lightweight chassis, turbocharged engine, and adaptable aerodynamics—provided measurable performance gains on the Tulsa oval.
- The victory reinforces Bell’s reputation as a versatile driver‑engineer, influencing his upcoming NASCAR Cup Series season and attracting high‑profile sponsorships.
For real‑time updates on Christopher Bell’s upcoming races and behind‑the‑scenes car build videos, follow @ChristopherBellOfficial on Instagram and subscribe to Archyde’s “Motorsport Insider” newsletter.