Ricky Thornton Jr. is gearing up for a busy off-season by competing in the Tulsa Shootout as well as the Chili Bowl and he was asked which would be cooler to have a World 100 Globe or a Chili Bowl Golden Driller.

Thornton told FloRacing, “I know the late model guys are going to hate me. I feel like the Golden Driller. But the Golden Driller would have to be from the Chili Bowl.”

“I feel like that’s the highest point in our sport. You get every driver there from every different series. It doesn’t matter if it’s asphalt, dirt, rally cross, super cross, whatever, drag racing,” he explained. “I feel like Chili Bowl’s probably the highest.”

Thornton will be competing in multiple divisions at the Tulsa Shootout. He’ll be in the Sawyer Chassis Winged Outlaw, Hyper Racing Non-Wing Outlaw, the JST Motorsports Winged A-Class, and Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing. He’ll also be competing in the Chili Bowl Nationals.

The Tulsa Shootout begins on December 31st and runs straight through January 4th with no days off. On January 4th all six divisions will compete for their respective Golden Drillers. The Tulsa Shootout reported on December 17th that 41st annual running of the event smashed previous entry records with 1,939. The previous record was 1,855 entries with 1,798 drawing in. As of writing, the entry list has burgeoned to 1,943.

A week after the conclusion of the Tulsa Shootout, the Chili Bowl Nationals begins on Monday, January 12th with its first qualifying night as well as its Race of Champions. Racing will continue without any breaks through January 17th where drivers and teams will leave it all on the line for the Golden Driller. There are currently 373 entries including 62 previous A-Main starters, 6 champions, 75 rookies. Competitors are coming from 39 states and six countries including Australia, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

#ChiliBowl2026 so far: 373 entries, 62 A-Main starters, 6 Champions, and 75 Rookies from 39 States, & 6 Countries (USA, AU, CA, NL, NZ, UK).

The List➡️https://t.co/nDEqXNlkmU pic.twitter.com/k80vsS7VPs

— Chili Bowl Nationals (@cbnationals) December 23, 2025

And to Thornton’s point it includes numerous champions from different disciplines including NASCAR Cup, High Limit Racing, and defending Chili Bowl Nationals champion Kyle Larson, World of Outlaws champion Sammy Swindell, USAC Triple Crown champion J.J. Yeley, DIRTcar UMP Modified champion Nick Hoffman, USAC Sprint Car Champion Justin Grant, and two-time defending Chili Bowl champions Logan Seavey and Christopher Bell.

Other notable drivers include Santino Ferrucci, Justin Peck, Spencer Bayston, Jason McDougal, Sheldon Creed, Corey Day, Ty Gibbs, Buddy Kofoid, Tanner Thorson, Chris Windom, Daison Pursley, Shane Golobic, Ryan Bernal, Hank Davis, Cannon McIntosh, Jonathan Beason, and Frank Flud.

NEXT: Every Driver Who Has Committed To The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series For 2026