The 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals are fast approaching, and with it, an impressive list of contenders from the NASCAR world. Among the notable names are Hendrick Motorsports drivers Kyle Larson and Corey Day, both of whom are gearing up to compete in the prestigious dirt track event. Recently, the team shared a social media post highlighting their participation, but the omission of Alex Bowman has sparked outrage among fans.
Bowman’s participation as a Team Owner Ignored by Hendrick Motorsports
Alex Bowman, the driver of the #48 Camaro in the NASCAR Cup Series, is set to take part in the Chili Bowl Nationals, albeit not as a driver. Instead, Bowman will compete as a team owner through his venture, Alex Bowman Racing. His team will field four cars, each vying for the coveted Golden Driller trophy. However, Hendrick Motorsports' failure to mention Bowman in their posts, despite his involvement, has drawn significant criticism from fans on social media platforms like X.
One fan voiced their frustration, writing, “You forget Alex Bowman who is owner once again this year now with 4 microcars.” Another user added, “So we not gonna talk about how Bowman owns 3 cars there so sad…” Although Bowman will not be racing in the event himself, his team’s presence and his ownership role should not have gone unnoticed, according to many supporters.
Fans remind Hendrick Motorsports to acknowledge Bowman
While Bowman’s non-participation as a driver could explain his exclusion from Hendrick’s post, fans were quick to point out that the team’s focus on Larson and Day shouldn’t overshadow Bowman’s accomplishments. One comment read, “What about Bowman?! The world doesn’t revolve around KL.”
Many fans believe Bowman deserves recognition for his role in the event, and some argue that victory in the Chili Bowl would be the perfect way for him to make his presence known, with the potential to bring home the highly sought-after trophy.
Larson and Day head to Tulsa for the Chili Bowl Nationals
Kyle Larson, a two-time Chili Bowl Nationals champion, is once again preparing to race in the event, this time piloting the #1k entry. Larson’s previous victories came in 2020 and 2021, and he will be looking to add a third title to his collection in 2025. After missing the 2023 event, Larson returns this year with high hopes of making it to the A-Main feature.
Alongside Larson will be Corey Day, a 19-year-old rising star who was recently signed by Hendrick Motorsports. Day will be racing part-time in the Xfinity Series, but his presence in multiple racing series, including the Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, and TransAm, has garnered attention. Last year, Day captured a preliminary race win before finishing third in the A-Main, and he aims to improve on that performance this year while piloting the #41 car.
Chili Bowl Nationals Practice and Main Events
The Chili Bowl Nationals will begin with practice sessions on January 12, with the main events set to take place on January 18. As the excitement builds, all eyes will be on the drivers, including Larson and Day, as well as Bowman’s four-car team, hoping for a strong showing in Tulsa, Oklahoma.