NASCAR legend Tony Stewart has dropped a controversial Daytona 500 opinion just a day after confirming his participation in the build-up to the event.

It was announced this week that the three-time Cup Series champion would be competing for Kaulig Racing in one of their Ram trucks in the Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway next month, two nights before the 500 itself.

However, currently, Stewart is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the Chili Bowl, where he is serving as the Grand Marshal for the event.

And, when speaking to the media, Stewart has risked sparking a major debate by claiming that the Chili Bowl is actually a bigger event than the Daytona 500.

NASCAR TODAY: Tony Stewart return confirmed as legend feared he'd 'damaged' reputation

Tony Stewart: Chili Bowl bigger than Daytona 500

During his career, Stewart failed to ever win the Daytona 500, with his closest effort having come in 2004 when he finished runner-up to Dale Earnhardt Jr.

He has, however, won the Chili Bowl on two occasions (2002 and 2007) and says that winning those meant more to him than any Daytona 500 victory ever would have

“Back in the day, I was scared to say that this was bigger than Daytona [500], but it is, it truly is,” Stewart told the media in Oklahoma.

“It’s not in the world's eyes, but in true motorsports fans' eyes, they know this is bigger.”

Stewart continued: “You've got 400 guys you gotta beat to win this race. Not the same 40 guys that you see every week at a NASCAR track. So this is probably one of the hardest events to win.

"Every time these guys go on the racetrack, in competition, it matters, they get points. It's all a part of getting themselves seated for Saturday night. You can’t have a mistake.

“At the Daytona 500, you can make mistakes for the first 400 miles and still go on to win the race. You can't do that here.”

Stewart concluded: “I never won the Daytona 500, but winning in the Chili Bowl meant more to me than if I would have won a Daytona 500 for sure.”

READ MORE: NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson issues verdict on 'The Chase' return