In a sudden twist of events before the 38th edition of the Chili Bowl Nationals, Kyle Larson has decided to go back on his decision to boycott the event. The 2021 Cup Series champion last participated in it back in 2022 and chose not to run in 2023 over concerns about the prize money. But now that the prize has been doubled, Larson will be behind the wheel again. Keith Kunz, whom Larson drove for as a youngster, had a big role to play in this decision.
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The team owner revealed how he’d got a call from Larson asking if he had any extra cars to drive. Kunz had given him the green light and made things happen. He said, “I said, let’s do it. We had to call some people on our end and get everybody clear. He had to do some things on his end to get everything approved. And, here we are.”
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Team owner @KeithKunz explains the phone call ☎️ that led to @KyleLarsonRacin‘s #ChiliBowl return. pic.twitter.com/7l5o91v32x
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 9, 2024
According to the plan that Kunz and Larson have drawn up, the driver will be attempting a dirt double over the week. He is scheduled to race both the Chili Bowl and the Wild West Tour on Saturday. Considering the challenge in logistics, it will not be easy for Larson. Kunz said, “It’s gonna be tight. We know that. He knows that. But we are gonna give it a shot.”
Kyle Larson expresses his excitement for the double and hopes not to miss any races
After the announcement about his weekend plans came to light, Larson took to X to express his delight at the attempt. He wrote that the Wild West Shootout was still his main priority for the weekend and assured that he will not miss any of the races.
Excited to get to run with @KeithKunz again. Hoping everything can go good for us on Thursday and can lock in so we’ll have a chance to get back on Saturday night after the @WildWShootout. That is my main priority this weekend folks so I will not miss any of the races with…
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) January 10, 2024
Larson’s feature on Saturday will come under the condition that he locks into the day’s A-Mains through a top-2 finish in the prelims race on Thursday. Larson is already a two-time Chili Bowl National champion, having won in 2020 and 2021.
Between New Mexico, where the late model race is to take place, and Tulsa, Larson could be gunning for the improbable. But again, that’s nothing new for the star.
