At the Eldora Speedway on July 17-18, as the highly anticipated 42nd Kings Royal weekend unfolded, tensions escalated between Kyle Larson and David Gravel in a battle fueled by long-standing rivalry and intense competition. Larson, a decorated sprint car driver with multiple Knoxville Nationals wins and a strong background in dirt racing, competed fiercely against Gravel in the high-stakes Kubota High Limit Racing Joker’s Jackpot event. Despite securing a $100,000 victory and registering his tenth career win at Eldora, Larson’s aggressive tactics on the track sparked a fierce reaction from Gravel, igniting a conflict that spilled over beyond racing into contract negotiations and social media exchanges.
This ongoing feud highlights the evolving dynamic in the sprint car racing world, fueled by Larson’s dual presence in both NASCAR and dirt racing, and Gravel’s sole focus on the World of Outlaws circuit.
Escalating Conflict: What Sparked the Fiery Exchange Between Larson and Gravel?
The rivalry flared during the build-up to the Kings Royal weekend, notably during the Knight Before World of Outlaws feature race. After Rico Abreu clinched his second straight victory in that event, Larson narrowly held off Gravel for the final podium spot. The two collided on the track right after the checkered flag, which led to heated exchanges both in person and over social media. Larson attempted to downplay the incident with a tweet joking about contract “negotiations” for Gravel’s 2027 High Limit Racing deal,
“Just @DavidGravel and I ironing out the details of his 2027 High Limit contract tonight on the backstretch at Eldora. Still negotiating terms… mainly how he’ll handle racing against the best every night.@HighLimitRacing.”
—Kyle Larson
However, Gravel’s reply revealed deep frustration, taking a hard stance on Larson’s aggressive driving style and its consequences on safety.
“Two of your top drivers got hurt this week, maybe that would open your eyes on how to race with respect. If you and all your fans think that how you race in a sprint car is racing with respect, you are fooled. I will take all the smoke. As far as the contract, better make it good.”
—David Gravel
Gravel’s response criticized what he perceives as Larson’s reckless behavior, emphasizing the toll it has taken on other drivers and signaling zero tolerance for further incidents. The tension between the two was further amplified during a post-race interview, where Gravel explicitly called out Larson for a “vendetta” against him and his team, tracing the hostilities back several weeks.
“I don’t know if I’m satisfied. [Larson] has been running me the same way for the last couple of weeks, it started [ed] at Huset’s. He’s got a vendetta towards us, and we could keep playing that game, but eventually it’s not gonna be good.”
—David Gravel
The conflict reached a critical point when both drivers were escorted to the World of Outlaws command center following the race for a serious discussion with official Carlton Remers, signaling the gravity of the incident for officials and teams.
What Gravel’s Words Reveal About the Intensity of This Rivalry
Following the command center meeting, Gravel made it clear that he views Larson’s behavior as unprofessional, which has strained their personal and competitive relationship. Despite their previous friendship, Gravel stated:
“He should be a professional. He thinks our team’s not professional. But he should be the ultimate professional, and he’s not driving like that on the racetrack. We’re friends, but I guess right now we’re not.”
—David Gravel
Gravel pointed to a perceived double standard between Larson’s off-track professionalism and his on-track aggressiveness, framing it as a key source of friction. Furthermore, Gravel stressed the differing stakes the two drivers face, noting Larson’s sprint car racing is supplementary to his primary career in NASCAR, while Gravel’s livelihood depends entirely on sprint car success.
“[Larson] running third or fourth this race doesn’t change his life. He doesn’t do this for a living. And he’s gotta remember that. We’ll see [what happens going forward].”
—David Gravel
This tension underscores their distinct career paths and the pressure Gravel faces as a full-time World of Outlaws points leader, with 10 wins this season.
Background: A Rivalry Forged Through Past Clashes and Career Crossroads
The Larson-Gravel rivalry has roots stretching back to notable moments, including their intense battle at the 2020 Knoxville Nationals where Gravel edged out Larson. That year was also marked by an incident in NASCAR: Larson’s suspension briefly created an opening within Hendrick Motorsports that Gravel hoped to fill, but Larson’s eventual return closed that door. Their fierce on-track competition, particularly during the closing laps of sprint car races, has been a consistent source of drama.
With contract negotiations for 2027 looming and emotions still raw, it seems the conflict between Larson and Gravel may intensify off the track as much as on it, potentially shaping the future of their racing careers and High Limit Racing’s landscape.
Chaos at Eldora Speedway: Multiple Crash Victims Spark Safety Concerns
The Kubota High Limit Racing Joker’s Jackpot event saw dramatic and dangerous moments before the race even settled. On the opening lap, a violent crash involving six sprint cars occurred while entering Turn 1, including those driven by notable competitors Tyler Courtney, Buddy Kofoid, and Hunter Schuerenberg. Courtney’s car flipped several times and struck the fence wing-first, resulting in a lengthy red flag stoppage and immediate safety concerns.
High Limit Racing officials later confirmed,
“Tyler Courtney was extracted and communicating with officials after the opening lap crash. He will be transported for further evaluation.”
—High Limit Racing Officials
Courtney, who ranks second in championship standings, was rushed to a nearby hospital, leaving his Kings Royal participation uncertain. An additional update confirmed,
“Courtney was alert and communicating with the safety crews after the crash.”
—High Limit Racing Officials
The violent accident served as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in dirt track racing, contrasting sharply with the pursuit of glory and prestige that characterizes the Kings Royal weekend.
The Larger Debate: Is the Larson-Gravel Rivalry Beneficial or Harmful to Sprint Car Racing?
The escalating clashes between Kyle Larson and David Gravel have sparked debate within the dirt racing community. Some observers argue that fierce rivalries like this drive competition and fan engagement, while others fear the dangerous consequences of overly aggressive driving, especially when collisions result in serious injuries to drivers or threaten track safety. Given the recent hospitalizations and the intense animosity between two of the sport’s top talents, the broader conversation about respect, professionalism, and sportsmanship in sprint car racing has gained renewed urgency.
What Lies Ahead for the High Limit Racing Scene?
With both racing contracts and personal reputations at stake, the fallout from Eldora and the Larson-Gravel confrontations could have far-reaching implications. If unresolved, these tensions threaten to disrupt team dynamics and raise questions about safety protocols within the High Limit Racing series. Officials, drivers, and fans alike will be watching closely to see whether this rivalry fuels the sport’s growth through competitive fire or leads to a dangerous spiral of hostilities on and off the track.
As the High Limit Racing series continues to grow in prominence, the actions and responses from Larson and Gravel may well determine not only their professional futures but also the tone and culture of sprint car racing in the coming years.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Kyle Larson better than Verstappen?
A. Larson may not win against Verstappen in F1, but he shows more versatility than anyone else. Bianchi believes Larson stands out because he has a broader skillset. He successfully competes and wins in many different types of cars.
