Stenhouse: “For one, Kyle and I have been trying to win the Chili Bowl a lot longer than we’ve ever thought about winning the Daytona 500.”
Kyle Larson and Ricky Stenhouse Jr both ran their first Chili Bowl Nationals in 2011. Larson has eight attempts to Stenhouse’s seven.
Larson has a best finished on 2nd while Stenhouse has a best finish of 9th. This year, they both ran it again. Stenhouse got crashed out of the event. Larson blew and engine, while leading.
In a few weeks, the green flag drops on the Daytona 500 for both of these dirt enthusiasts. But, how does Stenhouse compare the Daytona 500 to the Chili Bowl.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
“For one, Kyle and I have been trying to win the Chili Bowl a lot longer than we’ve ever thought about winning the Daytona 500,” Stenhouse explained during NASCAR media day.
“I think, us growing up racing sprint cars. Him in California, me in Mississippi. I raced go karts in the same building that we raced the Chili Bowl in.”
“That’s just something that we’ve always strived for. Not ’til, as of recent history, that we’ve gotten opportunities to even go compete in the Daytona 500.”
“In the country, I would say the Daytona 500 is the biggest. But, I think there’s a lot of people that would say — Even some NASCAR drivers would say that the versatility that we have, running dirt cars and stuff like that, they would like to win the Chili Bow as well. If they could.”
“They’re both, huge races. You know, I wanna win the Daytona 500, really really bad. I wanna win the Chili Bowl bad too.”
“I’m sure if you asked Larson which one he’s looking forward to — I’m sure he’s looking forward to the Daytona 500, Chili Bowl’s over.”
Ricky Stenhouse Jr is probably heading into the best chance at a Daytona 500 win that he’s ever had. Last year, he won 2 of the 4 superspeedway races sharing a win at both Daytona and Talladega.
Dirt Racing in 2018
How much dirt racing does Ricky Stenhouse Jr plan to do in 2018?
“Yeah, I’m going to do some,” Stenhouse stated from NASCAR media day. “I’ll probably do 5-6 races throughout the season.
“I don’t know. I haven’t looked at the schedules yet. But, I know for sure like 5 or 6.”
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Chili Bowl Results
2018: 20th (DNF)
2017: 16th
2016: 16th
2015: DNQ
2014: DNQ
2012: 9th
2011: 9th
Kyle Larson
Chili Bowl Results
2018: 19th (DNF)
2017: DNQ
2016: 5th
2015: 7th
2014: 22nd (DNF)
2013: 23rd (DNF)
2012: 3rd
2011: DNQ
Both of these drivers also own World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series racing teams.
More
Related: Larson wants to run full-time with the World of Outlaws
Related: 2018 Chili Bowl Results
Related: Kyle Larson drives Ricky Stenhouse Jr’s sprint car team to their first win
