Christopher Bell Goes Flag-To-Flag

His Fourth O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions Victory

 

Grabbing his fourth career win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions, Oklahoma’s Christopher Bell led start to finish during Monday’s special feature event.

 

The win nabbed Bell an extra $3,224, with the extra $224 for leading the “Race For Chase White Flag” presented by the Ultimate Sprint Car Series in California.

 

His first time winning the 25-lap affair as an owner-driver, the PristineAuction.com No. 21cb used his quick time effort and launched to the lead from the pole position. Putting distance on the field in no time at all, a Lap 7 caution for Corey Day presented a chance, but no one to take it as Shane Golobic chased with Spencer Bayston in tow.

 

Into traffic rolling two-by-two in the late stages, a nearly two-and-a-half-second lead quickly evaporated for Bell with Golobic able to take a look at the lead, but never able to overtake as Bell won by 0.419-seconds. Shane Golobic held on for second, with Logan Seavey slipping by for third with Ryan Timms in tow. Spencer Bayston ended up fifth.

 

This year’s field was set for 24 drivers, with 23 making the call.

 

RACE RESULTS:

• 40th annual Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS
• Tulsa Expo Raceway (Tulsa, Okla.)
• O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions
• Monday, January 12, 2026

 

O'Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions Qualifying:

O'Reilly Auto Parts RoC Qualifying (2 Laps): 

• 1. 21CB-Christopher Bell, 11.638 [15]
• 2. 1S-Spencer Bayston, 11.644 [20]
• 3. 39-Logan Seavey, 11.649 [4]
• 4. 17W-Shane Golobic, 11.682 [8]
• 5. 54NZ-Michael Pickens, 11.696 [13]
• 6. 88T-Tanner Thorson, 11.713 [23]
• 7. 71-Ryan Timms, 11.734 [2]
• 8. 39A-Emerson Axsom, 11.746 [17]
• 9. 86-Daison Pursley, 11.760 [3]
• 10. 1K-Kyle Larson, 11.764 [1]
• 11. 87-Justin Grant, 11.765 [9]
• 12. 27X-Kalib Henry, 11.792 [16]
• 13. 41-Corey Day, 11.796 [22]
• 14. 57W-Landon Brooks, 11.801 [18]
• 15. 67-Jacob Denney, 11.844 [19]
• 16. 71K-Cannon McIntosh, 11.889 [14]
• 17. 2-Jesse Love, 11.916 [12]
• 18. 11F-Kaylee Bryson, 11.946 [6]
• 19. 39G-Kyle Cummins, 12.006 [11]
• 20. 21AU-Kaidon Brown, 12.028 [10]
• 21. 12H-Sam Hafertepe Jr, 12.062 [21]
• 22. 1-Sammy Swindell, 12.128 [5]
• 23. 19R-Ricky Thornton Jr, 12.273 [7]

O'Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions:

O'Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions (25 Laps): 

• 1. 21CB-Christopher Bell [1]
• 2. 17W-Shane Golobic [4]
• 3. 39-Logan Seavey [3]
• 4. 71-Ryan Timms [7]
• 5. 1S-Spencer Bayston [2]
• 6. 88T-Tanner Thorson [6]
• 7. 1K-Kyle Larson [10]
• 8. 39A-Emerson Axsom [8]
• 9. 86-Daison Pursley [9]
• 10. 54NZ-Michael Pickens [5]
• 11. 71K-Cannon McIntosh [16]
• 12. 57W-Landon Brooks [14]
• 13. 87-Justin Grant [11]
• 14. 67-Jacob Denney [15]
• 15. 39G-Kyle Cummins [19]
• 16. 2-Jesse Love [17]
• 17. 27X-Kalib Henry [12]
• 18. 21AU-Kaidon Brown [20]
• 19. 1-Sammy Swindell [22]
• 20. 11F-Kaylee Bryson [18]
• 21. (DNF) 19R-Ricky Thornton Jr [23]
• 22. (DNF) 12H-Sam Hafertepe Jr [21]
• 23. (DNF) 41-Corey Day [13]

O’Reilly Auto Parts Race of Champions:

• Christopher Bell (2026, 2025, 2021, 2020)
• Logan Seavey (2024)
• Spencer Bayston (2023)
• Justin Grant (2022)
• Tanner Thorson (2019 and 2016)
• Chad Boat (2018)
• Kyle Larson (2017 and 2014)
• Sammy Swindell (2015, 2012, 2011, 2009)
• Kevin Swindell (2013), Brad Loyet (2010)

Hear from Christopher Bell after winning the O'reilly Race of Champions Monday Night at Race of Champions. pic.twitter.com/WYym4QmkDe

— Shauninthedirt.com (@shauninthedirt) January 13, 2026

 

source: Chili Bowl Media

How NASCAR’s New Championship Format Works

The #NASCAR Chase 101

 

NASCAR has announced a return to The Chase championship format for all three national series beginning in 2026, with a modified structure from the previous iteration designed to reward performance throughout the season and provide a larger sample size to determine the championship.

 

Below is a breakdown of how the new format works.

 

HOW MANY DRIVERS MAKE THE POSTSEASON?

The number of postseason drivers remains the same from the previous elimination-style format, but the manner in which drivers qualify changes (more on that below). For the NASCAR Cup Series, 16 drivers advance to The Chase. The number of drivers for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series is 12 and for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 10.

 

HOW DO DRIVERS QUALIFY FOR THE CHASE?

The top 16 drivers following the regular-season finale for the NASCAR Cup Series advance to the postseason. It’s the top 12 drivers for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and top 10 for the Craftsman Truck Series.

 

The goal is simple.

Be in the top 16 to make The Chase. pic.twitter.com/nhOr4l4Lr5

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 12, 2026

CAN DRIVERS QUALIFY FOR THE CHASE VIA ‘WIN AND IN’?

No, “win and in” is no longer a means to advance to the postseason. It is strictly based on points standings for each national series.

 

HOW MANY POSTSEASON RACES ARE THERE?

Like the previous elimination-style format, there are 10 Chase races for the Cup Series following a 26-race regular season. There are nine Chase races for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and seven for NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

 

ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THE POINTS STRUCTURE?

Yes. Wins are now worth 55 points, which is a notable increase from the previous structure of 40 points for a win. The remaining positions pay the same points (35 for second, 34 for third, 33 for fourth, etc.) and stage points are also the same (10 points for first, nine points for second, eight points for third, etc.). The goal is to reward drivers who go for wins, not just strong points days, and ensure aggressive racing and strong team performance remain central to each weekend.

 

ONCE THE CHASE BEGINS, ARE THERE ANY ELIMINATIONS?

No, The Chase does not have eliminations.

 

ARE POINTS RESEEDED FOR THE CHASE?

Yes, points are re-seeded just once for The Chase — following the end of the regular season and based on where drivers finish in the standings for the regular season.

 

Here is what reseeded points look like for the NASCAR Cup Series. (The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series seedings will be the same, except cut off at 12 and 10, respectively.)

 

• 1st: 2,100
• 2nd: 2,075
• 3rd: 2,065
• 4th: 2,060
• 5th: 2,055
• 6th: 2,050
• 7th: 2,045
• 8th: 2,040
• 9th: 2,035
• 10th: 2,030
• 11th: 2,025
• 12th: 2,020
• 13th: 2,015
• 14th: 2,010
• 15th: 2,005
• 16th: 2,000

SO THE REGULAR SEASON CHAMPION HAS AN ADVANTAGE?

Yes. As recognition for sustained excellence, the top driver at the end of the regular season will earn a 25-point cushion over the second seed. The entirety of the regular season is valued with the descending points structure.

 

HOW IS THE CHAMPION DETERMINED?

Whichever driver in The Chase has the most points following the season finale is the champion.

 

HOW WAS THE CHASE FORMAT DECIDED?

The changes come after an extensive review that included collaboration between owners, drivers, OEMs, tracks, broadcast partners and — most importantly — the fans. The enhanced format follows an exhaustive Playoff Committee and fan-feedback review that put forward three key recommendations:

 

• A larger sample size for a championship
• Bolster the importance of each race
• Rewarding consistency while maintaining the importance of winning

 

source: NASCAR Media

2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race Of Champions Field

NASCAR Drivers Jesse Love; Christopher Bell; Corey Day; and Kyle Larson Listed

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions. The annual showdown to kick off the Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink, featuring Chili Bowl winners, series champions, and invited talent, is on Monday, January 12, 2026.

 

Set to be the 18th edition of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions, the 2025 event was topped by Christopher Bell, marking the third time since 2020 that the Norman, Okla. driver has captured the win in the 25-lap affair. One of 24 overall drivers in this year’s field, the roster is steeped with talent at all levels.

 

2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions Roster:

• • 1 Sammy Swindell – A legend of the sport, and the winningest driver in Chili Bowl history.
• • 1S Spencer Bayston – Winner of the 2023 O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions.
• • 2H Jesse Love – Invited to compete as the 2025 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion.
• • 11F Kaylee Bryson – Invited to compete as the 2025 Trans Am GTX Champion. Kaylee is also the first woman to ever lock into Saturday night’s A-Feature.
• • 12H Sam Hafertepe, Jr. – Invited as the 2025 National Champion of the American Sprint Car Series. He is now a six-time titlist with the series.
• • 17W Shane Golobic – A lot of solid runs atop Tulsa Expo Raceway clay, last year’s podium finish locked Shane into the 2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions.
• • 19R Ricky Thornton, Jr. – Invited to compete as the 2025 regular season champion of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
• • 21AU Kaidon Brown – Invited to compete as the now two-time Australian Speedcar Champion.
• • 21CB Christopher Bell – The three-time Chili Bowl powered by NOS Energy Drink Champion, Bell, enters this year as an owner/driver.
• • 27X Kalib Henry – With the Napa Auto Parts All Stars Circuit of Champions presented by Valvoline back in full swing, the invite is again extended to their champion, and in 2025, that was Kalib.
• • 39A Emerson Axsom – Winner of Wednesday’s York Plumbing Qualifying Night in 2025.
• • 39G Kyle Cummins – Invited to compete as the 2025 USAC Amsoil Sprint Car National Champion.
• • 39 Logan Seavey – Back-to-back Chili Bowl powered by NOS Energy Drink champion in 2023 and 2024, Seavey also picked up Friday’s Hard Rock Hotel Casino, Tulsa preliminary night in 2025.
• • 41 Corey Day – Meeting criteria via a third-place finish in 2024, the defending Turkey Night Grand Prix champion will go full-time in 2026 in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series for Hendrick Motorsports.
• • 54NZ Michael Pickens – A legend of New Zealand Midget racing, the 10x National Champion is invited to be part of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions.
• • 57 Kyle Larson – The defending Champion of the Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink, as well as 2025 NASCAR Cup Series titlist.
• • 57W Landon Brooks – Tuesday’s Warren CAT qualifying night win lands the California driver in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions
• • 67 Jacob Denney – Invited to compete as the 2026 Xtreme Outlaw Midget and POWRi Midget National Champion.
• • 71 Ryan Timms – Invited to compete as the 2025 winner of the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s.
• • 71W Buddy Kofoid – Getting the nod from his runner-up finish in 2024, Kofoid is also the 2025 New Zealand Midget champion, which he also topped in 2024.
• • 71K Cannon McIntosh – Invited to compete as the 2025 USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Champion.
• • 86 Daison Pursley – A runner-up finish in the 2025 championship event and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race of Champions puts Daison in this year’s showdown.
• • 87 Justin Grant – Invited to compete as the 2025 USAC Silver Crown Champion.
• • 88T Tanner Thorson – Champion of the Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink in 2022, Thorson also won Thursday’s Hasty Bake qualifying night in 2025.

The standards for an invitation are:

• • Drivers finishing in the Top 3 of Saturday night’s A-Feature during the previous five Chili Bowls will be eligible.
• • Drivers finishing in the Top 2 of the past five Race of Champions events will be eligible.
• • Preliminary Night Winners from the most recent Chili Bowl will be eligible.
• • Series Champions from the most recent calendar year in the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, American Sprint Car Series National Tour, High Limit National and Mid-Week, USAC National Midgets, USAC National Sprint Cars, USAC Silver Crown, and POWRi Midget League, and Xtreme Outlaw Midgets will be invited to compete.
• • Champions and Drivers of other Tours and Series may be added at the Chili Bowl’s discretion.
• • No Driver substitutions or alternates from a sanctioning body will be allowed.
• • Starting Lineup for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Invitational Race Of Champions will be set by Group Qualifying. Drivers will draw for their qualifying position, then qualify in groups of three to four. Drivers will get two warmup laps, then three green flap laps to set their time. The driver with the fastest overall time in Qualifying will draw for the inversion (0, 4, 6, or 8).

The 40th annual Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink takes place January 12-17, 2026, under the giant roof of the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Okla. Fans unable to attend the Chili Bowl Nationals can watch every lap live at http://www.floracing.com.

For continued updates on the Chili Bowl Nationals, fans can follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with @CBNationals. All official press, updates, and results on the Chili Bowl Nationals can be found online at http://www.chilibowl.com.

 

source: Chili Bowl Media