18 drivers will be include in this year’s running; NASCAR, World of Outlaws and Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion included
Every year the Chili Bowl Nationals opens with a champions’ race on Monday. It’s a feature race, disconnected from the Chili Bowl Nationals points structure.
Chili Bowl: Results
VIROC | Jan 10 | Jan 11 | Jan 12 | Jan 13 | Jan 14 | Jan 15
Chili Bowl: Lineups
VIROC | Jan 10 | Jan 11 | Jan 12 | Jan 13 | Jan 14
Daily Chili Bowl Nationals Schedule
The special event sees champions from all across the motorsports ladder, in one race. That includes NASCAR champions and also the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion.
18 drivers are set to compete in the 2022 VIROC field, up from the originally scheduled 15.
“When we changed up the VIROC, and adjusted the qualification standards in 2020, we said then that we would adjust if we saw a need, and we are taking the opportunity to change up and add drivers that deserve to be in the Race of Champions,” explained Chili Bowl Director, Matt Ward.
“It’s something every year that we’ll do is look through the entry list once we get closer to the event and see if there is anyone that’s not already in that we feel deserves to be.”
“Sammy needed to be in. You don’t win this race once, much less five times by luck. He’s part of what made the Chili Bowl. That was the first one. Tim McCreadie winning the Lucas Oil Late Model Championship, plus being a Chili Bowl needed to be in, and since the current NASCAR Cup Series Champion is the defending Chili Bowl Champion, we went back to 2020 since Chase Elliott is part of this year’s event.”
Related: 2022 Chili Bowl (Entry List)
Race of Champions
2022 Field
Driver | Qualification
Blake Hahn
ASCS National Tour Champion
Brad Sweet
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Champion
Brady Bacon
USAC Sprint Car Champion
Bryant Wiedeman
POWRi National Midget Champion
Buddy Kofoid
USAC National Midget Champion
Cannon McIntosh
Monday Night Winner
Chad Boat
VIROC 2018
Chase Elliott
2020 NASCAR Champion
Christopher Bell
Champion – 2017, 2018, & 2019
Daryn Pittman
2017, Runner-up
Justin Grant
Friday Night
Kyle Larson
Champion – 2020 & 2021
Rico Abreu
2020 VIROC, Runner-up
Sammy Swindell
Five-Time Chili Bowl Champion
Spencer Bayston
2018, third
Tanner Thorson
2021, third
Tim McCreadie
2021 Lucas Oil Late Model & Chili Bowl Champion
Tyler Courtney
2021 All Star Circuit of Champions Champion
VIROC Standards
-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 VIROC 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, All-Star Circuit of Champions, USAC National Midgets, USAC National Sprint Cars, and POWRi National Midget League will be invited to compete.
-Champions 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 VIROC 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 Top 8 fastest will be inverted with the ninth fastest on back lined up straight up by their time.
-VIROC Feature will be 25 Laps.
VIROC Winners
Christopher Bell
(2021 and 2020)
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)
Links
Chili Bowl | NASCAR | Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series | POWRi | ASCS | USAC
