Dirt Racing’s Ultimate Showdown: Kyle Larson vs. Christopher Bell – The Rivalry Shaping the Future of Motorsports
If modern-day dirt racing had a Mount Rushmore, Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell would undoubtedly be carved in stone, battle scars and all. These two have been throwing haymakers at each other since their sprint car days, long before they became NASCAR Cup Series stars. With Joe Gibbs Racing lifting its restrictive ban on dirt racing, Bell is back in the trenches—and the Larson-Bell rivalry is more electric than ever.
From the Tulsa Shootout to the Chili Bowl and now the World of Outlaws championship, Larson and Bell are delivering a masterclass in dirt racing, keeping fans on the edge of their seats and each other desperate for the upper hand. Their ongoing battle is the stuff of legends.
The Volusia Thriller: A Rivalry Reborn
If you needed proof that Bell vs. Larson is the dirt racing feud to watch, just rewind to their recent clash at Volusia Speedway Park.
Three laps to go. Larson vs. Bell, side-by-side, trading sliders like two heavyweight boxers in the final round. Bell, piloting the Kreitz Racing No. 69K, hugged the bottom with the precision of a surgeon while Larson went full-send on the high line, daring physics to betray him.
The checkered flag? It went to Bell by a razor-thin 0.05 seconds.
Afterward, Larson tipped his cap but couldn’t hide his frustration. “I thought I did a pretty good job on that last restart,” he admitted. “But this place is so wide. Running the top is a long way around, and I just came up a little short.”
Larson Fires Back—With Authority
If you thought Larson would let Bell have the last laugh, you don’t know Kyle Larson.
The very next night, Larson made sure history didn’t repeat itself. Starting from pole, he put on a dirt racing clinic, leading all 25 laps and fending off Bell to score his first-ever win at Volusia.
“It feels good to finally win here,” Larson said, relief washing over him. “We’ve run here maybe 15 times without a win, so it’s been lingering in my head. To qualify well and finally get it done—it’s a great feeling.”
This isn’t just about wins—it’s a dogfight for dirt supremacy. Since the start of 2025, Larson and Bell have squared off in three major dirt competitions—the World of Outlaws, the Chili Bowl Nationals, and the Tulsa Shootout—and their head-to-head record is locked at four wins apiece.
Larson Knows It—And He Loves It
Even Larson couldn’t help but admire the battle brewing between himself and Bell.
“It’s pretty neat that two Cup guys are tied for the point lead in the Outlaw Tour,” Larson said. “Bell’s not been racing this stuff for a long time, but he’s extremely fast. It’s fun to have him back, and it’s good to win one in front of him.”
Make no mistake—this isn’t just a friendly dust-up between NASCAR teammates. This is a war for the throne of modern dirt racing. As long as Bell and Larson continue trading haymakers on the track, we’re all in for one hell of a show.
The Rivalry We Didn’t Know We Needed—And Now Can’t Live Without
Dirt racing thrives on rivalries, and this one has all the makings of an all-time classic. Two generational talents, two Cup Series stars, and a high-speed chess match unfolding on the most unforgiving surfaces in motorsports.
Who gets the last laugh? That’s still up for debate. But one thing is for certain—Larson vs. Bell is dirt racing’s hottest ticket, and we’re just getting started.
