In a significant development in sprint car racing, Tony Stewart Racing recently announced that Rico Abreu will drive the No. 24 winged sprint car in the 2026 Kubota High Limit Racing Series season. This collaboration stems from a long-standing friendship between Stewart and Abreu, dating back to their first meeting at the 2012 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. While Abreu, currently leading the High Limit Racing Championship with top performance and nine wins, calls this partnership a dream come true, Kyle Larson, a fierce competitor and co-owner of High Limit Racing, has expressed mixed feelings about the merger, highlighting concerns about its impact on the sprint car racing ecosystem.
Kyle Larson sprint car endeavors recently gained attention, especially with the innovative franchise system he and Brad Sweet introduced earlier this year. This system, modeled after NASCAR’s charter approach but customized for sprint car racing, aims to provide financial stability and long-term growth for team owners within the High Limit Racing (HLR) series. It commits nearly $18 million over four years, starting with an $3.9 million distribution in 2026, to enhance competitiveness and sustainability in the sport. However, Larson warns that the merging of teams like Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) and Rico Abreu’s operation may reduce the number of independent squads, potentially altering the sport’s competitive balance.
Larson’s Thoughts on the TSR and Abreu Merger
Speaking with Bob Pockrass, Kyle Larson acknowledged the positives of the TSR-Abreu partnership, especially for the High Limit Racing series, while also voicing some reservations. He stated,
“Yeah, I mean, I think it’s, you know, it’s great for High Limit, you know, to you have a TSR kind of merge with Rico and be with us. But at the same point, it’s in a way you’re losing a team, you know, in the whole ecosystem. So, you know, that part is unfortunate, but no, I think, you know, Tony’s got so much on his plate now. And just makes things a lot easier to team up with Rico and still be involved in sprint car racing. So, you know, they’re great friends, too. So it wasn’t surprising when I heard of it.”
This highlights Larson’s recognition of the strategic value for both parties while expressing concern about how team consolidations could affect overall team diversity.
The current High Limit Racing franchise system guarantees payouts to the top 10 teams, including the five highest finishers from the 2024 season. The system plans escalating distributions over the next four years, starting with an estimated $3.97 million payment in 2026, including $2.6 million guaranteed, and increasing annually to over $5 million by 2029. This financial framework is designed to support franchises with long-term funding, providing stability and encouraging competition.
Rico Abreu Racing, with its No. 24 car, secured a franchise spot in the 2024 High Limit Racing Franchise System, joining teams like Kasey Kahne Racing, Clauson-Marshall Racing, Roth Motorsports, and Murray-Marks Motorsports. The franchise list will grow based on performance averages over two seasons, with five new teams expected to join by the 2026-2027 season. The TSR-Abreu merger is poised to elevate performance and secure guaranteed franchise earnings, combining sport and business advantages.
The Competitive and Strategic Implications of the Merger
For Rico Abreu, the alliance with Tony Stewart provides a platform to fulfill his aspirations as a full-time racer, supported by a mentor and longtime friend. Abreu currently leads the High Limit Racing Championship with 10 wins in the ongoing season, positioning the merger as a potential catalyst for even greater success. However, Larson’s caution underscores a perceived downside: consolidations like this reduce the number of independent teams, which could narrow the variety and competitiveness within the sprint car racing landscape.
Kyle Larson Comments on NASCAR Cup Series Challenges
While navigating the transitions in sprint car racing, Kyle Larson is also grappling with difficulties on the NASCAR Cup Series front. Hendrick Motorsports (HMS), which Larson races for, struggled during the recent Round of 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Despite strong qualifying spots for Larson and teammate William Byron, the team faced setbacks during the race. Alex Bowman battled mechanical problems, finishing eighth, and Byron experienced a tire blowout while running near the top five.
Only Larson, Byron, and Chase Elliott advanced to the Round of 12 at Loudon, but overall, the team’s playoff performance raised concerns about HMS’s ability to maintain competitiveness in these crucial stages. Larson shared his candid assessment with Frontstretch after qualifying at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, saying,
“Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, it’s a reset. So, yeah, the first round we didn’t finish well at any of them, but we did do a good job getting stage points and whatnot the first couple races, and then actually felt like we were okay at Bristol. Just had the first stage get away from us with the caution. So, um, but yeah, I mean obviously we would wish that Hendrick Motorsports had all four into this round and have won your races last round, but um yeah, the Gibbs cars, they were fast and did a great job executing.”
This frank reflection captures the ongoing struggles HMS is facing, especially since the team has not secured a win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in over a decade, with the last victory by Kasey Kahne in 2012. Larson himself, a three-time runner-up at Loudon, is aiming to break through at this track where success has so far eluded him. Meanwhile, Byron and Bowman have recorded less inspiring finishes, with Byron yet to crack the top 10 in seven starts and Bowman averaging a 24.4 finish. Starting 16th in Londoun, Larson faces a challenging path forward in the playoff rounds.
Understanding the Future of Sprint Car Racing and Kyle Larson’s Role
The merger between Tony Stewart Racing and Rico Abreu Racing marks a notable shift in sprint car racing’s landscape, particularly within the High Limit Racing series. While this union brings the promise of enhanced performance and financial security through the franchise system, it also triggers debate over the potential reduction of independent teams, which could affect the sport’s competitive richness. Kyle Larson’s perspective embodies this mix of optimism and wariness as he supports growth in the sport but remains vigilant about maintaining team diversity.
As Kyle Larson navigates both sprint car racing’s evolving ecosystem and the escalating challenges within NASCAR’s Cup Series, his dual roles as competitor and team co-owner place him at the center of important developments in American motorsports. The coming season will reveal how these changes influence not only Larson’s career but also the broader dynamics of sprint car racing and NASCAR competition.
Kyle Larson on Rico Abreu and Tony Stewart Racing merging their sprint-car programs next year with Abreu competing in High Limits with TSR. pic.twitter.com/ZbxAfBI9vy
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 20, 2025
