Kyle Larson appears in midseason shape. With the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season a few weeks from igniting, the 2021 circuit champion led all 40 laps from the pole, capturing the Chili Bowl Nationals midget car event.
Larson earned the checkered flag despite driving over a loose tire and colliding with the wall several times during the dirt-track showcase’s final laps in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“I love being back here,” Larson told FloRacing.com Saturday night.
By also venturing to Victory Lane in 2020 and ’21, Larson tied NASCAR Cup Series rival Christopher Bell for three Chili Bowl titles.
Larson (+500) and Bell (+550) were also tabbed as the top two sports betting favorites to capture the circuit title this season, according to BetOnline Sportsbook.
Below, we’ll preview the top storylines heading into the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Kyle Larson won his third Chili Bowl Nationals last night and hit a shrug 🤷 what an awesome night of racing
— The Daily Downforce (@dailydownforce) January 20, 2025
2025 NASCAR Cup Series Storylines
- A 23-machine field will race 200 laps to claim the inaugural Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on Feb. 2. The preseason exhibition likely will start with 37 teams. The qualifiers will come out of four heat races.
- NASCAR officials will allow teams to utilize primary tires with option tires available for the spring race at Phoenix Raceway. The series will continue to enable option tires, intended to provide faster speeds, as select tracks. The option tires tend to wear down quicker than primary tires.
- Full-time Truck Series pilot Chandler Smith earned another opportunity to compete in the Daytona 500 for Garage 66. Smith, who made three Cup starts last season, failed to qualify for the 2023 season-opening event for 66 Garage, then known as MBM Motorsports.
The Madhouse: #NASCAR's return to Bowman Gray Stadium. Monday at 7p ET on FS1. pic.twitter.com/qn6vltkUTS
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) January 23, 2025
2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Odds
Here is an early look at the drivers’ odds for capturing the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship odds, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:
| Driver |
2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Odds |
|---|---|
| Kyle Larson | +500 |
| Christopher Bell | +550 |
| William Byron | +600 |
| Ryan Blaney | +650 |
| Denny Hamlin | +750 |
| Tyler Reddick | +850 |
| Joey Logano | +850 |
| Chase Elliott | +1100 |
| Chase Briscoe | +1800 |
| Kyle Busch | +2200 |
| Ty Gibbs | +2200 |
| Ross Chastain | +2800 |
| Brad Keselowski | +2800 |
| Alex Bowman | +3300 |
| Chris Buescher | +4000 |
| Bubba Wallace | +6600 |
| Shane van Gisbergen | +6600 |
| Daniel Suarez | +10000 |
| Austin Cindric | +10000 |
| Carson Hocevar | +10000 |
| Josh Berry | +15000 |
| Austin Dillon | +15000 |
| Michael McDowell | +15000 |
| Zane Smith | +15000 |
| Noah Gragson | +15000 |
| Erik Jones | +20000 |
| Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | +20000 |
| Todd Gilliland | +20000 |
| AJ Allmendinger | +20000 |
| Ryan Preece | +25000 |
| Justin Haley | +25000 |
| Cole Custer | +25000 |
| John Hunter Nemechek | +30000 |
| Ty Dillon | +50000 |
| Corey LaJoie | +50000 |
*-Odds current at time of publication
