Sprint Car drivers competing in the Chili Bowl Nationals isn’t an odd occurrence. It’s been going on since the event started in 1987.

It’s become commonplace to see these drivers participating in this annual Midget event. But now that it has become a January happening, Sprint Car drivers have become more of a fixture on the track at the Tulsa Expo Center.

The same can be said for the 35th edition of the Chili Bowl Nationals, which begins today. SprintCarUnlimited.com will highlight the Sprint Car drivers participating each qualifying night, starting below with Monday action.

Monday

David Gravel: The Connecticut native needs no introduction to Sprint Car circles, as he is one of the top three drivers in the division. It comes as no surprise that Gravel has made the adjustment to Midgets, qualifying for the Chili Bowl Nationals finale in 2019 and finishing 18th. Three of the last four years, Gravel has made it to the B-Main and should make another run to Saturday’s A-Main this season.

Chase Majdic: This California upstart has started to make his mark in the 360 ranks and has won some shows against top-flight Golden State competition. The Chili Bowl has been a little bit more difficult to crack, as Madjic is still looking for his first appearance in Saturday’s A-Main extravaganza. He could be a sleeper top-10 pick Monday night.

Tyler Courtney: It was recently announced that Courtney was transitioning from the USAC Sprint Car ranks to the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions in 2021. As for his Chili Bowl success, it’s been pretty good. Courtney has made the Chili Bowl finale the last four years, with his best finish coming in 2017 and 2019 when he placed sixth. He is Sprint Car racing’s best chance to win Monday’s qualifying night.

Carson Macedo: Normally, Macedo spends the offseason in Australia and is a no-show during the Chili Bowl Nationals week. That changed this year thanks to COVID-19, which prompted Macedo to make his first Chili Bowl appearance. The California driver is a gasser and has made his mark with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, which gives him street cred. Not sure if that means he is a contender at the Chili Bowl, but Macedo has won in a Midget in the past, including this year.

Blake Hahn: This Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour veteran is no stranger to Chili Bowl success. A year ago, he landed his best career finish in Saturday’s finale with an impressive eighth-place run against a stiff field. Hahn also made the A-Main in back-to-back years — 2015, 2016 — and came away with identical 11th-place finishes. Watch Hahn during his qualifying night.

Roger Crockett: Like Blake Hahn, Crockett enters the Chili Bowl off a decent season in Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour competition. He finished with a victory and was second in the point standings to series kingpin Sam Hafertepe Jr. As for past Chili Bowl competition, Crockett is still looking for his first A-Main appearance in Saturday’s finale. He is making his fourth start with Johnny Herrera Racing and could be another good sleeper pick to have a good week.

C.J. Leary: Wingless racers seem to make the Chili Bowl transition look easier. Of course, a bunch of them dabble in Midgets on the USAC circuit, and Leary is no exception and has triumphed in the division in the past. Leary, who finished fifth in the USAC Sprint Car standings in 2020, has shined at the Tulsa Expo Center, carving out four finale appearances in the last five Nationals. His best march came in 2019 when he placed eighth. Look for Leary to get off to a good start Monday and improve on his 17th-place finish a year ago.

Chris Windom: When you discuss any form of wingless racing — Midgets or Sprint Cars — Windom’s name comes up early on the list. He is the defending USAC Midget champion and was second in the Sprint Car standings with the group. Despite that type of success, Windom’s had mixed Chili Bowl reviews. He’s made Saturday’s A-Main seven times since 2007, with his lone top-five finish coming in 2010. Windom finished 14th a year ago and should get a chance to improve on that this week.

Ryan Bernal: Bernal has been trying his hand in the California winged ranks the last three or four years, but his background is in Midgets and non-wing racing. That’s showed at the Chili Bowl, with Bernal making Saturday’s A-Main three times since 2015. The best run came in 2018, when he put it in the top five. A year ago, Bernal orchestrated another impressive run with a ninth-place run. Don’t be surprised if Bernal is running near the front Monday and adding another finale appearance in 2021.