Ten-time New Zealand Midget Champion Michael Pickens is set to take on the 39th Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, next week as part of the legendary Keith Kunz Motorsports (KKM) team.
KKM has a storied history at the event, often referred to as “the Super Bowl of Midget Racing,” having secured eight victories, the most recent in 2019, when Christopher Bell claimed his third consecutive title after a dramatic battle with Kyle Larson.
They fell just short in 2024, with Michael ‘Buddy’ Kofoid finishing second in the A-Feature, behind Logan Seavey.
Both Kofoid and Seavey have spent the past several weeks in New Zealand preparing for their 2025 campaigns, with Kofoid clinching the 2024/25 New Zealand Midget title at Western Springs last night. Seavey was third, and Pickens was fourth.
Keith Kunz Motorsports is entering a record 16 cars in this year’s Chili Bowl, including Pickens, Kofoid, Bell, and ARCA Menards Series star Taylor Reimer.
“An absolute dream come true to drive a midget for Keith at Chili Bowl,” Pickens shared on social media. “I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity.”
Pickens, who has made six A-Main appearances at the Chili Bowl and achieved a career-best third-place finish in 2011, joined KKM during USAC’s Midget Week in 2024, where he impressed with a runner-up finish in his feature.
This year, he will pilot the CRC-Toyota-LynK Chassis #54Z in his bid for Chili Bowl success.
The event will also feature another Kiwi, 2023/24 3NZ Mitch Fabish, as part of the 365-plus entrants.
Practice at the Tulsa Expo Raceway kicks off on January 12, followed by five nights of qualifying heats. The grand finale, dubbed “Driller Day,” is scheduled for January 18.
The action will be streamed live on Flo Racing.
Header Image: Keith Kunz Motorsport
