Larson Earns Chili Bowl Pole, Pursley Is Shuffle Star
Kyle Larson earned the pole for the 39th Chili Bowl Nationals Saturday. (David Campbell/DPC Media photo)
TULSA, Okla. – Kyle Larson may have earned the pole for the 39th Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink Saturday evening inside the SageNet Center, but Daison Pursley was the showstopper.
Ninth-seeded Pursley surged from the first pairing of the #DoItForGrady Pole Shuffle all the way to the second row of the starting grid, defeating seven other drivers in the time-attack format with his No. 86 Pristine Auction-sponsored, CB Industries-prepared mount.
The only thing able to stop Pursley’s roll was a lack of fuel in the gas tank, which forced him off the track midway through his battle with second-seeded Landon Brooks.
It gave Brooks an automatic advancement into the final pairing, where top-seeded Larson bested Brooks with a fast lap of 12.005 seconds compared to 12.489. It gives the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion the pole for the 40-lap championship finale, where Larson will chase a third Chili Bowl triumph.
Brooks joins Larson on the front row, while Pursley rolls from third and tipped the track position he gained through the pole shuffle may help lead him to a maiden victory in the Super Bowl of Midget Racing.
“I think we may have just created a new rule,” Pursley laughed after getting back to his pit. “I don’t know if anyone ever thought we’d have to play that (scenario) out … but once the engine cut out once I just knew we wouldn’t have any more.
“I don’t blame the officials; I don’t know what they could do differently on that rule because you are out there racing, so if you stop or anything you have to be up the ramp,” he added. “It’s unfortunate, but we’re on rails again. I hope we didn’t show everyone else the line too early, but nonetheless, we boosted our starting position and that’s huge. It’s what we need to capitalize on one of these races.
“I feel like we’re capable of winning it and I’m going to give it my all for that Golden Driller.”
Two-time defending Chili Bowl winner Logan Seavey starts fourth alongside Pursley, with Tanner Thorson and Emerson Axsom on row three.
Gavin Miller and Shane Golobic line up seventh and eighth, respectively, with Ryan Bernal and Brenham Crouch closing the top 10 starters.
The balance of the 24-car starting field will come from twin 20-lap B-mains that will transfer seven cars apiece into the grand finale.
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