Kyle Larson Wins 1st Night at Chili Bowl to Advance to Main

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Kyle Larson went back to victory lane on the opening night of the Chili Bowl Nationals.

The NASCAR star drove to a commanding victory in Tuesday night's opening night of the Super Bowl of Midget Racing. The win automatically advanced Larson into the 55-lap Saturday night main event at the Tulsa Expo Center.

Also advancing to the main event was Brad Sweet, a World of Outlaws Sprint car regular and the brother of Larson's fiancée, as well Tyler Courtney. The top three finishers each night earn automatic berths into the main event. All three drivers were in Toyotas, and Larson won his fourth preliminary feature win at the Chili Bowl — tying him with the late Bryan Clauson.

The next three finishers advance to the B-Main in a format that is followed the remainder of the week.

Among the entries Wednesday are former Chili Bowl winner Rico Abreu and Donny Schatz, eight-time World of Outlaws champion who made his Chili Bowl debut last year.

This Chili Bowl features more than 350 entries racing for one of the 24 openings in Saturday night's feature.