Its only five days into 2025 and perhaps theres already an argument for battle of the year in motorsports.

That battle came during Saturday nights 40th Tulsa Shootout at Tulsa (Okla.) Expo Raceway where NASCAR Cup Series stars Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson put on a show for the ages for the Non-Wing Outlaw crown. 

After Larson rose to the runner-up spot with five laps to go, the 2021 Cup Series champion ferociously ripped the top side of the race track to catch Bell. 

One last effort by Larson on the final lap was a thriller as he dove below Bell, but came up short by 0.188 seconds. 

The heart-racing victory had Bell ecstatic as he whipped his No. 21x into a cyclone-like donut to the delight of the fans. 

I wasnt running the most pretty line, but all weekend long I was just really struggling to get into the corner the way that I needed to, Bell began. Fortunately, I was able to find something that was really comfortable for me. 

I feel bad for Steven (Snyder Jr.), he was driving really, really well and had a super fast car there.

Snyder snagged the lead away from Bell with 12 laps to go after climbing from 21st before a flat right rear tire derailed his chances. 

Guys, I dont know, that was a helluva race, Bell beamed to the emphatic crowd. 

Bell held a more conservative line in the closing laps as he searched for grip to remain ahead of Larson. While nail-biting, Bells decision paid off. 

I lost the Chili Bowl by running the top on entry, Bell said. So, I felt like if I just kept running the slider line and there was a lot of good dirt getting off on corners two and four. I felt like if I could keep sliding across and getting off really hard, it was gonna be hard for him to get me.

He made a helluva corner down there on the bottom on that last corner to make it scary coming to the checkered.

With Bell given the green light from Cup Series team owner Joe Gibbs to chase more dirt trophies this year, the Norman, Okla., native was beaming as hell have a shot at a fourth Golden Driller in the Chili Bowl Nationals, beginning on Jan. 12. 

I love this place, Bell smiled. I love this place with all my heart. I cant wait to see everybody here in a couple weeks.