Winning the Chili Bowl is like taking home an Oscar in the dirt racing world. Once you get your hands on that golden driller, you’re a star, no doubt about it. Kyle Larson once said, “It probably doesn’t cost much to make a bunch of these, but it’s the meaning behind it that makes it so special.” And he’s right. Just having a shot at winning the Chili Bowl means everything to so many drivers. Including Kaylee Bryson, the Oklahoma native who made history in 2022 as the first woman to qualify for the Chili Bowl’s main event.

She did it again in 2023, and now she’s gearing up for the 2025 edition. What is it about the Chili Bowl that keeps her coming back every year, eager to perform at her best?

Kaylee Bryson’s love for Chili Bowl

Bryson had an incredible year in 2024. She made history as the first woman to win a USAC National Series feature race, taking home the USAC Silver Crown Hucovsky Classic at Belleville High Banks. And now, she’s taking that same momentum into the 2025 Chili Bowl.

This year, she’s behind the wheel of the #57, the same car driven by 2023 and 2024 Chili Bowl winner Logan Seavey in USAC. That’s gotta bring a little extra good luck, right? But for Bryson, it’s less about what she’s driving and more about being at the Chili Bowl.

For her, it’s not just another race – it’s the fulfillment of a childhood dream. In a recent chat with FloRacing, she opened up about what makes the event so special. “I’m just having fun, to be honest,” she said. “This was my childhood dream. So, I’m trying to enjoy every moment while it lasts. You never know when it could be over. That’s what a lot of my family has told me enjoy everything you have now. I’m very blessed and fortunate to drive these awesome cars. I’m having a good time out here, trying to make a living doing what I love. Just enjoying where I’m at.”

And it’s not just about having fun, she’s proving she’s good at it, too. In the recent “Race of Champions” at the Expo Center, she started dead last and finished 16th. Christopher Bell won the race, but Bryson finished ahead of Logan Seavey, which is no small feat.

Kaylee Bryson’s connection to the Chili Bowl runs deep. “Maybe it’s because I’m from Oklahoma, and I’ve been coming here since I was a kid. I started racing the shootout when I was 13 or 14 years old. I know this place pretty well and feel comfortable here,” she said.

She continued, “I love coming here it gets everyone’s jitters up, makes everyone feel good. Plus, I live just 45 minutes away, so it kind of feels like home and love putting on a show here. I know everybody around here and I grew up with most of the people that are here,” she said with a smile.

Also in the conversation, Bryson reflected on how far she’s come in her journey.

Kaylee reminisces about her childhood!

Looking back, Bryson can hardly believe how far she’s come. She’s now selling her own merchandise at the track, something she never imagined doing when she was a fan herself, watching legends like Kevin Swindell, Sammy Swindell, Christopher Bell, and Kyle Larson race for the golden driller.

“It’s crazy,” she said. “I’ve come a long way. My first Chili Bowl, I didn’t even know if I should get merch. I didn’t know if anyone knew who I was. Now, I have a ton of merch, and it’s selling like crazy. It feels really good to see people supporting you and buying your stuff. It’s a great feeling to come to the Chili Bowl and see so many fans behind you.”

It was about having fun when she first started attending the Chili Bowl as a kid. “I was just riding bikes around the pits. I never thought I’d be racing here one day,” she recalled. Moreover, she further added, “I used to watch guys like Larson, Swindell, and Bell win the driller, and I was like, ‘Man, that’s my dream. I want to do that.’ So just to be here, racing, and making the show is huge for me.”

One thing Kaylee Bryson is most excited about this year is being part of a winning team. “It’s cool to run the 57,” she said. “This team is really good at what they do. They’ve won a ton of championships. They’re talented, smart, and work hard. It’s fun to be with a group that really cares about pushing you to be better and giving you every opportunity to win that driller.”

With everything she’s accomplished so far and her team behind her, Kaylee Bryson is certainly a driver to watch. In a matchup with Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson, do you think she has a shot at taking home the Golden Driller this year? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!