Published 01/10/2023, 8:00 AM EST
Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott were the first two who boycotted the Chili Bowl Sprint Car series. And their reason was largely for the fairly small pot for the winners. Turns out, Christopher Bell joined the Hendrick duo too.
The Chili Bowl has got a seriously bad rep suddenly.
Larson and Elliott were very vocal about them not participating in the Chili Bowl. Of course, a small $10,00 prize for the winner, with an additional $150 for every lap led, was dissatisfactory for them. Now, the money isn’t a big deal for a NASCAR Cup Series champion. However, taking into account the cost of making the car, transport, and everything involved; they will end up in losses.
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The duo got Christopher Bell to join their team as well, as they all put their foot down from taking part this year. Bob Pockrass reported the news on his Twitter account as all they all backed out.
And the fans were actually with Larson on this one.
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Unfortunately, this is bound to put a few specks of dust on Chilli Bowl’s name as their biggest competitors backed out. But is it for being so public about their distaste for the minimal purse?
Chilli Bowl just isn’t a big deal to Kyle Larson anymore
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The small pot sure was a big factor in him going against the Chilli Bowl. But talking to Racing America, he explained, “I’ve spent half of my life going there. But now that I’ve started racing in these other big events, against big names, and they just feel like a bigger deal to me than the Chili Bowl.”
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 01: NASCAR driver Kyle Larson speaks with the media during the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Media Day at Charlotte Convention Center on September 01, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
He did have an issue with the purse of the race. But of course, it didn’t sit well with the founder of the sprint car series as he said, “They have my number. Chase Elliott has my number. I’m really easy to get a hold of, and I would have this conversation with them too but they’ve all gone straight to the media.”
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So, do you think it’s good they are boycotting the Chilli Bowl? Let us know in the comments.