Alex Bowman, NASCAR Cup Series driver and owner of Alex Bowman Racing (ABR), is taking center stage at the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals with his four-car team. Known as the “Super Bowl of Midget Racing,” the Tulsa-based event has sparked controversy after Hendrick Motorsports left Bowman out of their promotional announcements, despite his significant involvement.
Alex Bowman Racing fields four midget cars for the prestigious event
Alex Bowman Racing (ABR) is entering the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals with a robust lineup, featuring four midget cars piloted by seasoned drivers and a promising newcomer. The team includes Jake Swanson (#55a), CJ Leary (#55v), Kevin Thomas Jr. (#55x), and Briggs Danner (#55i). Danner, a two-time USAC East Coast Sprint Car champion, joins the team for the first time with an impressive background in dirt racing.
Bowman’s commitment to his team goes beyond just ownership. He has spent countless hours personally building and fine-tuning the cars in his Tucson-based shop. “Jake’s car is the same as last year, so it’s been ready since summer,” Bowman explained. “CJ’s car is newer, but we built it last season, so it’s mostly done. The other two have been a lot of work. I’m ahead of schedule this year, which is rare for me.”
Bowman describes ABR as an “unprofessional” but passionate team, emphasizing fun over pressure. “We race when it’s convenient and enjoyable,” he said. “There’s no politics, just raw racing. It’s all about giving 100% every night.” This hands-on approach and dedication have endeared Bowman to fans who appreciate his contribution to grassroots racing.
Hendrick Motorsports faces backlash for failing to promote Bowman
Despite Bowman’s significant role as a team owner, Hendrick Motorsports drew criticism for excluding him from their promotional content for the Chili Bowl Nationals. The team’s social media posts focused on Kyle Larson, a two-time Chili Bowl champion, and Corey Day, a recently signed rising star, but failed to mention Bowman’s involvement.
Fans quickly noticed the omission and voiced their frustration on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Comments included, “What about Bowman?! The world doesn’t revolve around KL [Kyle Larson],” and “You forget Alex Bowman, who is owner once again this year now with 4 micro cars.” Supporters believe Bowman’s dual role as a NASCAR driver and a team owner at the Chili Bowl deserved recognition.
Bowman, however, has remained focused on his team and preparations rather than the online backlash. His dedication to building and managing Alex Bowman Racing has highlighted his passion for grassroots racing, a stark contrast to the high-profile NASCAR Cup Series where he competes weekly.
Kyle Larson and Corey Day lead the competition, but all eyes are on Bowman’s team
While Bowman’s contributions as a team owner are significant, Kyle Larson and Corey Day remain key names heading into the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals. Larson, a two-time Golden Driller winner in 2020 and 2021, returns to Tulsa piloting the #1k entry after missing the event in 2023. Known for his dominance across multiple racing disciplines, Larson is a favorite to make a deep run into the A-Main.
Corey Day, the 19-year-old rising star recently signed by Hendrick Motorsports, will pilot the #41 car. Day has already made waves in the dirt racing scene, securing a preliminary win and finishing third in last year’s A-Main. With a growing presence across ARCA, TransAm, and the Craftsman Truck Series, Day is expected to be a strong contender throughout the week.
Despite the attention on Larson and Day, Bowman’s four-car team is a significant storyline. With experienced drivers like Jake Swanson and CJ Leary, combined with the youthful energy of Briggs Danner, ABR is poised to deliver strong performances on the quarter-mile clay oval in Tulsa.
The 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals schedule and what’s at stake
The Chili Bowl Nationals begin with practice sessions on January 12, followed by five intense nights of qualifying races—known as “Prelim Nights”—from January 13 to 17. Drivers will battle through the notoriously challenging “alphabet soup” races to earn a spot in the A-Main championship on January 18. Over 370 entries are vying for the prestigious Golden Driller trophy, making this one of the most competitive fields in recent memory.
For Alex Bowman Racing, the stakes are high. With the team’s strongest lineup to date, Bowman is optimistic about their chances. “Having guys like CJ [Leary], who is really mechanically smart, and Jake [Swanson], who I’ve known since childhood, makes a big difference,” Bowman said. “Briggs [Danner] is new to the team, but he’s got a lot of talent. I’m excited to see how we perform as a group.”
Fans will be able to follow the action live on FloRacing throughout the week. The championship Saturday, scheduled for January 18, promises to be a spectacle, with the A-Main deciding who will take home the coveted Golden Driller.
Bowman’s dual focus: Chili Bowl Nationals and the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series
While the Chili Bowl Nationals are capturing Bowman’s attention for now, the NASCAR Cup Series season is just around the corner. Bowman is set to return behind the wheel of the #48 Ally Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in what will be his eighth full-time season. The 2025 NASCAR season kicks off with the non-points Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 2, followed by the Daytona 500 later in the month.
Bowman’s involvement in the Chili Bowl highlights his versatility and love for all forms of racing. Balancing his role as a NASCAR driver and a team owner showcases his dedication to motorsports at every level. While his focus will soon shift back to the Cup Series, his efforts in Tulsa underscore his commitment to growing grassroots racing and supporting talented drivers in the dirt track scene.
As engines roar to life in Tulsa, fans will be watching closely to see if Bowman’s team can defy expectations and make a deep run in the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals. Whether it’s Larson chasing another win, Day continuing his rapid rise, or Bowman’s team capturing headlines, this year’s event is shaping up to be one for the history books.
