Emerson Axsom scored the biggest win of his career on Saturday night, capturing the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals after a hard-fought battle with teammate Logan Seavey at the Tulsa Expo Raceway.
Driving for Swindell Speedlab, Axsom took the lead early and survived multiple late-race restarts to secure the Golden Driller. Kyle Larson, who led the opening laps, was eliminated after flipping while running second following contact with a slower car.
The defining moment of the race came as Axsom fended off Seavey, a two-time Chili Bowl winner who played a major role in the team’s success throughout the week. Seavey openly shared race data and strategy with Axsom and teammates Jett Barnes and Kyle Cummins, even knowing it could cost him another win.
“That’s just Chili Bowl racing,” Seavey said. “He did what he needed to do to win.”
Team owner Kevin Swindell admitted the final laps were difficult to watch but praised the effort from all four cars.
“I didn’t care who won,” Swindell said. “I just wanted our team to come out on top.”
With the victory, Axsom joins an elite list of Chili Bowl champions that includes Tony Stewart, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and Sammy Swindell. Despite inevitable questions about his future, Axsom said his long-term goal remains winning a World of Outlaws championship.
The win also adds to Swindell Speedlab’s growing legacy, giving Kevin Swindell a combined total of seven Chili Bowl victories as a driver and team owner.
