TULSA, Okla. Emerson Axsom was on top of the world after winning Wednesday nights preliminary feature for the 39^th Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink.

Steering a Keith Kunz Motorsports Agajanian Curb midget, Axsom took the lead on lap three and held off all comers to win his first Chili Bowl main event inside the SageNet Center.

It feels amazing. It is like a weight being lifted off my chest. I havent really been comfortable, Axsom acknowledged after the race. Even in the qualifier, I didnt feel that great. It came to my style there, and feature tracks usually fit my style better than heat race or qualifier tracks. I figured we would be alright there, especially starting on the front row.

But I didnt think we would be that good. I figured (Spencer) Bayston would be good and Corey (Day) would be good. To beat them you have to be really good, so our stuff must be really good.

Axsom gave team owner and crew chief Keith Kunz credit for preparing the winning No. 68k midget, which was powered by Toyota.

He (Kunz) kind of told me before the race that he was going to get after it on the car and it would be tight, and I said, Well, you have only won 85 times here, so I am going to let you do your job, Axsom said with a smile. Dont listen to me, just give me a race car where I can turn on entry and well be alright.

And he was alright, beating Daison Pursley to the checkered flag.

Axsom, 20, is locked into Saturdays main event for the third time in his short career. Axsom made his Chili Bowl debut in 2021 and made the Saturday feature for the first time in 2023 when he finished fifth. He returned to the main event last year and came home 11^th.

It would probably be the biggest win for the rest of my life. I dont care if I won the Knoxville Nationals, I mean I do, but Chili Bowl to me at this point in my career is my No. 1 race, maybe because my ability in a midget is by far a lot better than my ability in a winged sprint car right now being so young in my career, said Axsom, who is a full-time winged sprint car driver these days. Obviously, my shot to win the Chili Bowl is a lot greater right now than my chances to win the Knoxville Nationals. I feel like I have a shot.

To me the Chili Bowl is the race and it has gotten away from me a lot. In past prelims, Ive spun out on my own, got spun out, started 20^th and run fifth. There have been a lot of times that Ive done dumb stuff myself and it feels really good not to not do something dumb tonight.

Editors Note: In recognition of A.J. Foyts 90^th birthday today, his public relations staff headed by Anne Fornoro prepared the following interview with the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner.

HOUSTON A.J. Foyt turned 90 years old today.

The milestone birthday is remarkable for several reasons: his record-setting achievements in one of motorsports most dangerous eras, his comeback from death-defying accidents both on track and off, and his incredible resilience with several health issues.

We asked this tough Texan a few questions:

When you look back over your career, what makes you most proud?

A.J.: I think my mother and daddy seeing me win Indy four times. When I was coming up racing local here in Houston, my dream was to someday go to Indianapolis. I did. My daddy always changed my right rear tire, he was part of my success. Having my mother and daddy seeing me win my fourth before they died made me real proud.

What is it about you that you were able to achieve such incredible success?

A.J.: I would say the best thing that made me was that I had such great fans and I wanted to satisfy them. I think that gave me a lot of motivation in my racing career, my fans. And I still love em.

But what was it in you, before you had fans?

A.J.: I always drove hard, even at the local tracks because I liked to win. And when I got to Indy, the fans made want to win even more. I know they loved winning and I loved winning so we had a good combination together.

What are some of the best advances in racing that youve seen?

A.J.: I would say that they made the cars so much safer than what they used to be. They carry a lot less fuel and thats the biggest thing that racing has gained. I dont say its any better but its a lot safer. Im always looking for safety too cause I had a lot of friends that lost their lives. I was one of the lucky ones cause I made it through all that.

How did you survive all that? It was such a deadly era particularly in 1964 when you won 10 of 13 racesstill a record.

A.J.:  I really cant answer that because I lost a lot of friends. Thats the reason I didnt run with too many people, I kinda stayed by myself cause I didnt want it on my mind.

How did you put it out of your mind In 58 when you lost Pat OConnor and in 64 when you lost Eddie Sachs (and Dave MacDonald)?

A.J.: I just tried to not think about it. Im here today but I might be gone tomorrow. I knew that. After I won Indy, everybody couldnt believe I went sprint car racing and midget racing. Theyd say after you won Indy, youd lose your life within a month or two or get hurt real bad. I just didnt pay attention to that. I had a life to live and I was enjoying it. If I lost my life, thats the way Id have to go.

Whats the toughest recovery you had to come back from?

A.J.: It was when I was burnt pretty good at Milwaukee (1966). I got broke up worse than the burns I had on my hands and face but I think the burns were the worse thing I suffered really. You get broken bones, you heal them quicker. But the burns take so much time.

I had gotten Jimmy Clarks Lotus from Colin Chapman and in practice, it broke the rear  suspension going in Turn 1 and it put me into that gate and it just blew up. We didnt have fuel cells and all that stuff back then. You could carry 75 gallons of fuel. I didnt have that much on there, dont get me wrong, and when it hit in the front end, it caught on fire. I was kind of hung in it, I couldnt get out. I had to put my hands in it and pry myself out and I slid the skin off my hands. It was pretty painful.

A burn is one of the worst things you can have. I dont think racings any better than when I raced but what is better is that you dont see a lot of guys getting burnt real bad. Thats the one beautiful thing about racing is that its so much safer.

Note: Although Foyt remembers he was out of the car seven months, actually he was back in a car three weeks later at Atlanta. Mechanical issues ended his race in five laps. A month later he ran Indianapolis Raceway Park, again out after five laps with mechanical issues. He returned a month later to qualify second and finish third in a 100-lapper at Springfield.

Is there anything you would change over the course of your career?

No. I raced local and I had a dream of going to Indy and then be fortunate enough to win it, how many people have dreams that come true? It was my dream when I went up there and bought tickets and sat up in Turn 2. A couple years later, I was lucky enough to get a ride. People saw me run Salem, Indiana in a sprint car and I think thats what really helped me get a ride at Indianapolis. They said if I was brave enough to run the high banks, Id be good at Indy. (laughs) Hell, I didnt know any better, it was just a race track to me.

The high speeds never scared you?

A.J.: Not really. That never entered my mind. I went to the race track and whatever it was, I tried to adjust to it. I went to Daytona (in a stock car) and I was fortunate enough to win that. Then went to LeMans Dan Gurney and I what a super guy he was to pick me and be on Shelbys team and be fortunate enough to win LeMans. Ive had a wonderful life and if I passed on today, nobody couldve had a better life than I had.

If you had to pick out the best day of your life, what would it be?

A.J.:  I think passing my drivers test at Indianapolis. I would say that was one of the greatest thrills of my life. I know it was.

What did you do after you passed it?

A.J.: There used to be the White Front (restaurant and bar) down from the track on 16th. After I qualified, I went there and Bettenhausen (Tony, Sr.) and Bob Veith and Freeland (Don), all of them were up there cause thats where they all hung out. They said, What are you doing here? And I said, Im gonna have a Coke. They said, Heres a Screwdriver, its like orange juice. I said, Well Ill try one. So I had one, then two, then three, and I had to go to the restroom. I stood up and the room kind of spun and I said, Damn, I cant see! Well, the next day they had all the rookies out, and I was one of the quickest ones [in fact he was the fastest rookie qualifier starting 12th] but I had hugged onto the toilet all night long! I havent had a Screwdriver since 1958. And I dont plan on having another one.

Thats one of the highlights and after I won Indy, someone said, I bet you and your wife went out and really celebrated. And I said, Yeah.  They had a White Castle Hamburger  right there in front of the Speedway and my wife and I had two White Castle hamburgers, I think they were eleven cents a piece. We really celebrated.

You really wouldnt change anything?

A.J.: Nope, I come from nothing and had a wonderful life. Whod ever think Id be here now at 90 years old?

What do you think about being 90 years old?

I dont think Im sposed to live this long! Im living for a reason but I dont know why!

How do you occupy your time these days?

I keep buying land and try to develop it. I love to get on my bulldozers and tractors. I do that almost every other day. People say youre out there by yourself. And I say, Its peaceful. I dont have to listen to anybody but me.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. NASCAR announced today multiple media rights deals that bolster its presence in Canada, the sports largest international market, highlighted by the expansion of its decades-long partnership with Bell Media.

For the first time, Bell Media will be Canadas home for all three NASCAR national series as it adds NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series programming to its long-standing NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series rights.

Races, as well as associated practice and qualifying sessions will be broadcast across Bell Medias linear and digital platforms, including CTV, TSN, USA Network and TSN+. Bell Media also secures additional rights to NASCAR Canada Series and ARCA Menards Series events.

REV TV comes on board as the host broadcaster of the NASCAR Canada Series it will be the exclusive English-language home of all live and/or first-airings, producing all races as well as highlights and other supplemental content around the series. REV TV will also have rights to the full suite of NASCAR international series races, as well as the ARCA Menards Series.

Were thrilled to extend our long-running partnership with Bell Media and look forward to bringing REV TV on board, said Nick Skipper, NASCAR Managing Director, Media Strategy. Both are top-class partners that will help us best serve our passionate Canadian fan base across all of our racing series and continue to grow the sport in this important market.

Our long-standing, successful partnership with NASCAR underscores Bell Medias dedication to bringing world-class motorsports to Canadian fans and this season were debuting a new place to watch NASCAR with USA Network, said Shawn Redmond, VP, Bell Media Sports. With the addition of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series bringing even more dynamic content to our platforms, well continue to showcase the energy and intensity of NASCAR to our passionate fans all season long.

As Canadas home for motorsports and motoring, we are thrilled to have Canadas premier motorsports series, the NASCAR Canada Series, as a part of our diverse programming lineup, said Mike Garrow, CEO of REV TV. We are eager to present Canadian fans their homegrown heroes in new and exciting ways, alongside NASCARs other global series from Mexico, Brazil and Europe. REV TV will also be the home of the ARCA Menards Series where stock car stars of tomorrow will shine today, he added.

STATESVILLE, N.C. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and LEGACY Motor Clubs co-owner Jimmie Johnson announced his racing plans for 2025.

Johnson, who ran nine NASCAR Cup Series races in 2024, will once again attempt the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16th marking his 22nd appearance in The Great American Race.

Additionally, Johnson will race in NASCARs longest event, the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, on May 25. Both races will have the branding and colors of Phoenix, Arizona-based Carvana on the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE, as the special partnership between Johnson and Carvana enters its fifth season together.

Im so proud of the relationship we have built with Carvana, said Johnson. They have always been supportive of my dreams and always find innovative ways to connect with fans. As my days behind the wheel of a race car continue to wind down, the partnership with Carvana continues to celebrate my career and its such an honor.

Should Johnson qualify for the Daytona 500, the 600 will mark his 700th NASCAR Cup Series start. It is such a fitting place to make a significant start at, noting that he has visited victory lane at Charlotte eight times throughout his career, four of which coming from the Coca-Cola 600.

Carvana, an industry pioneer for buying and selling used cars online, and a partner known for its innovative and thoughtful paint schemes, will announce Johnsons livery in late January, just ahead of the two-time Daytona 500 winners return to the iconic Florida track.

Were incredibly excited to support Jimmie and LEGACY Motor Club for a third season, said Ryan Keeton, Carvanas co-founder and Chief Brand Officer. Jimmies legacy in NASCAR is unparalleled, and our team is committed to creating a special livery that measures up to his 700th start milestone. Stay tuned for what we have in store!

Im thrilled to be returning to competition in 2025, said Johnson. These two races hold a special place in my heart, and Ive always loved the energy and excitement that surrounds them. The Daytona 500 is a crown jewel of NASCAR theres nothing like it. Charlotte Motor Speedway is where I made my first start in the NASCAR Cup Series, and its always felt like home to me.

TULSA, Okla. Three-time Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink winner Christopher Bell will return to the event Wednesday night for the first time in several years.

Thanks to Bells NASCAR team owner, Joe Gibbs, approving his return to dirt-track racing beginning with a Tulsa Shootout victory earlier this month, the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Chili Bowl champion will wheel the No. 71w entry for Keith Kunz Motorsports Curb-Agajanian during Hasty Bake Qualifying Night.

An eight-time preliminary feature winner during the Chili Bowl, Bell is among the early favorites to claim Saturday nights $20,000 top prize in the 39^th running of the event.

Racing to me is all about those moments rolling down the ramp for the Chili Bowl heat race, Bell said. Im going to nervous as can be and it all comes down to putting it all together. You just want everything to go right. I am cautiously optimistic. I had a really good race in the Race of Champions. The car felt really good.

Bell wont be the only Chili Bowl winner on the track Thursday, as Tanner Thorson, who topped the event in 2022, returns to his familiar No. 88 midget in an attempt to win the event for a second time.

Winged sprint car racers Spencer Bayston and Chris Windom each return to their midget racing roots with Bayston driving for RMS and Windom wheeling a Chad Boat Industries machine.

Four-time USAC sprint car champion Brady Bacon, non-winged sprint car star C.J. Leary and full-time USAC midget racer Jacob Denney will also be among the contenders on night four of the Chili Bowl.

Frequent national midget winner Karter Sarff and veterans Shane Cottle, Casey Shuman, Matt Westfall, Frank Flud and Ryan Bernal also get the green flag on Wednesday.

Indy car and road racer Katherine Legge will handle an Abacus Racing midget and frequent 360 sprint car winner Jordon Mallett takes his first crack at the Chili Bowl in a Swindell Motorsports machine.