January 9, 2023 | By Lee Spencer

Tanner Thorson looks to join elite fraternity of back-to-back Chili Bowl winners

TULSA, Okla.—With the incredibly stout competition at the Chili Bowl Nationals, Tanner Thorson’s 2022 win was nothing short of remarkable.

Given the talent and work ethic of the 26-year-old racer, capturing the Golden Driller was not unexpected. But toppling drivers from the juggernaut of Keith Kunz Motorsports or powerhouses such as Dave Mac-Dalby Motorsports or CB Industries was quite a feat under the Reinbold/Underwood Motorsports banner.

After eight years of battling the best at the Tulsa Expo Raceway, Thorson relished his David versus Goliath moment.

“It was definitely a good couple of days,” said Thorson, who has qualified for the Chili Bowl A-Main for eight straight years. “I think I was hung over for a good three to four days, too. So, man, it was the best feeling in the world. It's something that I've been trying to do since 2014 when I first went there with Keith (Kunz).

“Every year I’ve been really, really strong, and last year there was just something different in that building. I don't know what it was. I didn’t, not necessarily, have a chip on the shoulder, but I just didn't care.

“I told my guys—and just about everybody who would listen—I was either coming back with the trophy or the car was going to get destroyed because I was going for it. I almost got caught up a little bit too much on my prelim night when (Christopher) Bell got by me. I just kind of kept sailing it off in the top and it just got a little treacherous. But it was just a great, great feeling.”

Upon entering the main artery of the Expo Center and the ramp leading down to quarter-mile clay bullring, KKM’s compound with 14 shining midgets send the message that you’ll have to go through one of those drivers to win the Driller—and that’s not lost on Thorson.

Thorson was in that camp long enough to appreciate the depth of KKM’s resources. He followed the path of Kyle Larson and fellow USAC National Midget champions Bell and Rico Abreu. He credits Keith and his brother Rusty Kunz for providing an education in racing that Thorson draws from today.

“I owe a lot to Keith—and even Bell and Rico and Larson,” Thorson said. “I've ran with them for four or five years before I started doing my own deal. I learned so much just racing side by side with them guys and then obviously racing with Keith. There's a lot of stuff I learned from him and Rusty—and other things that I didn't necessarily like and knew not to do, right?

“Keith is obviously the best in the business. That's why everywhere you go there are at least 10 cars sitting there and a handful of trailers. Obviously, besides my crew and everybody, Keith was one of the first ones who came over to tell me how proud he was and it was definitely cool to hear that. Knowing how many races I've won with him and then after that to beat him, it was just cool. Still, it’s a great reflection on Keith because he groomed me to be where I am now.”

For Thorson, 2022 was a memorable season, from his Chili Bowl Nationals victory in January to marrying his long-time partner Shaylee Smith on December 10. Setting up the next chapter in the Thorson saga has forced him to realign his priorities. His pace has been non-stop since recovering from a harrowing highway accident in 2019.

“Honestly I've taken a little bit of a step back from racing,” Thorson said. “With building a house and getting married, I just needed time to reflect on the years coming upon me. Ever since my accident, I've been on the go. Obviously, I want to win every time I go out. I put a lot of time and effort into my own stuff and it just wasn't working out.

“So I just kind of took a little step back to regroup and try again. I needed time for myself and Shaylee. I need to get my body and my mind back into it.”

Thorson is still formulating his final plans for 2023. He would love the opportunity to create an environment to develop young talent similar to what KKM has built over time. But this week, his focus is strictly on the Chili Bowl. In November, Thorson ventured out to the West Coast to race midgets and set up a baseline for Tulsa. He followed up that exercise with the Tulsa Shootout to learn the track.

Tanner Thorson Racing is fielding two cars in the 37th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl. Local favorite Ace McCarthy is piloting the No. 28 midget. Thorson will defend his title behind the wheel of the No. 88 car. He’ll compete in Monday night’s Race of Champions, then prepare for his prelim night on Thursday.

“The Chili Bowl has always been the big race I wanted to win—and obviously want to keep winning,” Thorson said. “It was such a crazy weird feeling once you won. That place was so loud. I don't even really remember the night. Shaylee and I talk about it all the time. We don't even remember it because it all went by so fast. It was just a really cool moment.

“I've said it time and time again, Chili Bowl is the race to win.”