Kyle Larson defends High Limit title this week at the Perth Motorplex, Australia, as he seeks repeat championship glory at the prestigious High Limit International event. The celebrated NASCAR champion and sprint car enthusiast faces rising star Corey Day, who threatens to disrupt Larson’s run for the boosted $110,000 prize with a standout performance in the series.
Racing Roots: Larson’s Persistent Passion for Sprint Cars
Kyle Larson’s commitment to sprint car racing remains strong, even as his NASCAR achievements continue to pile up. Instead of taking a traditional offseason break, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion is back on the dirt, returning to the site of his thrilling 2024 victory at the inaugural High Limit International in Perth. The event, co-founded by Larson with Brad Sweet, holds personal significance as it blends his love for grassroots racing with top-level competition abroad. As anticipation builds around his return, Larson’s focus stays on performing with the same team, car, and engine combination that brought him victory previously.
“The crowd was amazing, the atmosphere was great throughout the three nights. And yeah, to cap it off with the win was pretty special, my first ever win, I guess, in Australia. So yeah, hopefully we can do the same again, got the same team, same car, same engine, Trevor Canales working on it again, so hopefully we’re fast.”
— Kyle Larson, defending champion
The Challenge: Corey Day’s Rapid Rise Shakes Up the Field
The biggest threat to Kyle Larson’s quest for consecutive titles is Corey Day, a 20-year-old American racer who has quickly made his mark in both sprint cars and the NASCAR scene. Fresh off an influential win at Perth, Day took control during the opening night and demonstrated tenacity and skill, overcoming early race leader Kaiden Manders in a dramatic battle. Day’s victory was not just a milestone in his young career—it marked his status as the high-point leader heading into the main event, intensifying the rivalry that defines this year’s championship faceoff.
“I know Corey’s pretty confident after his run the other day on Boxing Night,”
Larson acknowledged, recognizing the exceptional performance Day delivered. — Kyle Larson, defending champion
“So hopefully we can humble him a little bit and do a good job. And yeah, just try to do better in the first two nights than I did last year. It was kind of more work than I think we wanted to have on the final night, so yeah, it comes down to execution, and I just didn’t do the best job executing last year until we got to the finale.”
— Kyle Larson, defending champion
High Stakes: Record Prize Fuels Intensity at Perth Motorplex
The stakes have never been higher for the High Limit International, with the prize money raised to $110,000 AUD for the 410 sprint car champion. Larson, who made headlines last winter by debuting in Perth and taking home a record $100,000, enters the competition with added expectations and the pressure of replicating his prior success. His loyalty to dirt racing shines through, as he arrived in Australia with determination, prepping for an intense three-night event against a talented field led by Day and Manders.
Night one set the tone for a hard-fought series, highlighting the unpredictability of the competition. After a caution slowed the action for a flat tire on Larson’s car, Manders briefly reclaimed the lead, only for Day to respond decisively and secure his breakthrough victory. The outcome signaled Day’s capability to challenge even the most accomplished names in the field, while setting the stage for a showdown that fans and drivers alike would remember.
The Making of a Rivalry: Day Bids to Become “Larson 2.0”
Corey Day’s rise draws deliberate comparisons to Kyle Larson’s own ascent from dirt tracks to the national racing spotlight. With the 2023 King of the West title, the Trophy Cup, and a Turkey Night Grand Prix already to his credit, Day mirrors the pathway that took Larson from sprint car prodigy to NASCAR stardom. Their head-to-head encounters—especially at marquee sprint car events like Oskaloosa’s Front Row Challenge—have produced memorable finishes, often with Day pushing Larson to the limit.
Off the dirt, Day is solidifying his presence in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Hendrick Motorsports, landing a full-time spot for 2026. His early results, including a fourth-place finish in Las Vegas and more top-10s on pavement, underscore his adaptability and potential to follow in Larson’s tracks. Notably, Larson has publicly noted Day’s promise, likening it to earlier legendary pairings in motorsports lore.
Legacy, Significance, and What’s on the Line for the High Limit Series
Kyle Larson’s pursuit of back-to-back High Limit International wins symbolizes the enduring appeal of grassroots sprint car racing, even for drivers at the pinnacle of NASCAR achievement. By returning to challenge upcoming talents like Corey Day, Larson not only defends his personal legacy but also tests the depth and quality of America’s next wave of racing stars. For Day, this event is a proving ground and the potential start of his own reign atop international sprint car racing.
As the High Limit International unfolds at Perth Motorplex, the spotlight shines brightest on this showdown between two generations: Larson, the accomplished champion, and Day, the aspiring successor. With a record-setting purse, passionate crowds, and icons like Trevor Canales and Jason Pryde joining the effort, the rivalry is set to push both competitors to their limits. Regardless of the outcome, this year’s race reinforces how the intersection of dirt and pavement continues to define the future of American motorsport, promising more drama and talent in years to come.
.@KyleLarsonRacin is back in Australia to defend his title!
“Yung Money” has reunited with local car owner Jason Pryde to drive the #1K in pursuit of back-to-back High Limit International victories at @PerthMotorplex. pic.twitter.com/76U065kB0U
— High Limit Racing (@HighLimitRacing) December 28, 2025
