Going back-to-back at the Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy, Logan Seavey took advantage of a restart at the opening of the 55-lap affair and led nonstop Jan. 13 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Stalked the entire race by Buddy Kofoid, the pair railed the cushion of the Tulsa Expo through the first half of the race before the line shifted low as the pair raced into traffic banking off the cushion and allowing Kofoid to close several times. There was never a moment where the Columbus-based Keith Kunz Motorsports No. 71w was able to mount a charge for the lead.

“I had to focus on getting a few good laps up top before the bottom really cleaned off, and it’s so hard because you have the best guys in the world right behind you, and if you do move too soon, they’ll drive right by you or it’s too late, and they’ll do the same thing,” Seavey said of his line change to secure the win. “I really like winning races for them (Kevin and Jordan Swindell). This is the coolest race that I get to participate in and one of the coolest in the world.”

Kofoid came in second, followed by Corey Day to complete the podium. Making a massive run from the D-Feature, Oklahoma’s Daison Pursley advanced position 45 times to finally land fourth in the A-Feature. Hank Davis made up the top five.

Kofoid, who will be Toyota’s go-to driver on the World of Outlaws tour in 2024, saw his biggest chance of a Driller dissipate on a caution four laps in. Kofoid, who thought he was around the reigning champion for a lap-plus, was placed back in second and called to the side of the track for a transponder issue.

“I passed him and in my mind completed a lap, then came around a second time and the yellow came out right before the second time.” Kofoid reflected on his memory of the feature. “Then they said that my transponder wasn’t working, and I was going back to second and what I thought was almost two laps before.”

In years past, hand scoring was used at the Chili Bowl, and an audible might’ve put Kofoid ahead of Seavey, placing him in the right place as the dirt turned to rubber. Kofoid never had the chance to make a second attempt as Seavey skillfully protected his lead on the now one-lane racetrack.

“I was just trying to stay with him in the rubber and something could still happen, but racing with Logan, that mistake is probably not going to happen,” Kofoid said.

Shane Golobic moved a trio of spots for sixth, followed by Tanner Carrick in seventh. Despite a damaged car after flipping during the pole shuffle, Spencer Bayston crossed eighth. Advancing from 18th, Michael Faccinto made it to ninth with Jake Swanson in 10th.

The 2024 edition of the Chili Bowl Nationals saw 380 entries turned in with 365 drawing in officially. The 2025 dates will be Jan. 13 to 18. Ticket information will be posted soon with all ticket sales starting the first Wednesday in March.

For continued updates on the Chili Bowl Nationals, fans can follow along on Facebook, X and Instagram with @CBNationals. All official press, updates and results can be found online at chilibowl.com.

A-Feature results (55 laps): 1. Logan Seavey 2. Michael Kofoid 3. Corey Day 4. Daison Pursley 5. Hank Davis 6. Shane Golobic 7. Tanner Carrick 8. Spencer Bayston 9. Michael Faccinto 10. Jake Swanson 11. Emerson Axsom 12. Ryan Timms 13. Chase Johnson 14. Kale Drake 15. Colby Copeland 16. Briggs Danner 17. Andrew Felker 18. Karter Sarff 19. (DNF) Tanner Thorson 20. (DNF) Cannon McIntosh 21. (DNF) Chase Briscoe 22. (DNF) Kameron Key 23. (DNF) Steven Snyder Jr 24. (DNF) Michael Pickens

Howe Motorsports names new driver

Jim Howe Motorsports LLC of Columbus has tabbed Michael Gundolff, 26, of Ellettsville to take over driving duties of the famed JHM #62 racing go-kart for the 2024 season. Owner Jim Howe made the announcement last week.

The team will run Whiteland Raceway Park’s full 2024 schedule (15 events) in the KA 100 Senior class as well as selected SIRA and OVKA events as time allows.

“I’ve known the Gundolff family since 2013 when Michael and his brother, Daniel, were racing my driver, Cokie Gaich, in Yamaha Junior at Whiteland,” Howe said. “Both boys are darn good drivers, and I’m happy to have Michael aboard.”

Gundolff is the son of Mike and Lisa Gundolff of Ellettsville. He made his debut in 2013 at WRP and has raced in Yamaha Junior Can, Yamaha Senior Can and KA Senior through the years, all for the family team. The younger Gundolff last raced in 2020.

“I’m definitely looking forward to getting back in the saddle at the track where I started,” Michael said. “I just about jumped through the roof when Jim approached my dad with the offer.”

Gundolff will drive the team’s Bestkart F-03 chassis that Daniel Pearcy campaigned in 2022 and 2023. Following the completion of the 2023 season, Pearcy moved on to the XRM Racing factory team and will race for the Dionisi family in 2024.

Tentatively, practice for the team will occur sometime in early March at WRP as well as the public track at CERAland Park just outside Columbus.