Emerson Axsom wins 2026 Chili Bowl

I confess to having a pretty hard time following the Chili Bowl. It’s just so long and grueling, and the lower brackets put on such bad racing. But that’s because there are HUNDREDS of cars in this thing, and when the cream is finally done rising to the top, it’s usually hardworking aspirant dirt racers versus active top-tier NASCAR Cup Series drivers and the who’s-who of full-time sponsored sprint car drivers and USAC midget champions, not to mention people who have been slogging to win this specific event year after year after year.

One of those aspirants won it this time. I had already tired out by the time the final came on, but I think I’ll go back and watch to get to know Emerson Axsom better. If you win the Chili Bowl, you are special by definition.