Kyle Larson, the Hendrick Motorsports driver, recently expressed mixed feelings about Tony Stewart’s new partnership with Rico Abreu. On September 17, 2025, Tony Stewart Racing confirmed that Abreu will pilot the #24 winged sprint car for the upcoming 2026 Kubota High Limit Racing Series season, marking a significant move for both the team and the sport’s landscape. Larson shared his views on this collaboration, revealing an uneasy perspective despite recognizing some benefits.
Kyle Larson’s Perspective on the Stewart and Abreu Alliance
Rico Abreu and Tony Stewart have maintained a close friendship since they first crossed paths at the 2012 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. Abreu, who currently leads the High Limit Racing Championship with nine wins, recently described driving for Tony Stewart Racing as a realization of a longtime dream. However, Kyle Larson’s reaction to this partnership was more conflicted. In an interview with motorsports journalist Bob Pockrass, Larson acknowledged the merger’s positive impact for High Limit Racing but emphasized a deeper loss within the sport’s ecosystem.
“I mean, I think it’s, you know, it’s great for high limit, you know, to 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, yeah, that part is unfortunate.”
— Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Larson also expressed that he was not taken aback by the news:
“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, you know, be involved in sprint car racing. So they’re great friends too. So it’s, it wasn’t surprising when I heard of it.”
— Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver
This statement reveals Larson’s recognition of Tony Stewart’s expanding commitments, which likely influenced the decision to merge efforts with Abreu while maintaining involvement in sprint car racing.
Tony Stewart’s Transition Into Top Fuel and Racing Achievements
Tony Stewart transitioned into the Top Fuel series in 2024 after his wife, Leah Pruett, paused her racing activities to focus on family matters. Stewart quickly made his mark, capturing the regular season champion title at Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2025. This progression highlights Stewart’s continued versatility and competitive nature across different motorsports disciplines.
Tony Stewart Explains the Differences Between NHRA and NASCAR
In a 2024 podcast episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, Tony Stewart discussed the inherent contrasts between NHRA drag racing and NASCAR stock car racing. Stewart, a former NASCAR team owner and Cup Series champion, outlined how drag races focus on extremely short bursts of speed, lasting only three to four seconds, while NASCAR events span hours of strategy and endurance on oval tracks.
“It’s not like what you and I were used to, where we’ve got a three-and-a-half-hour race. We’ve got six or eight pit stops during the day, and we have three, four, or five hundred laps to get the job done. If we make a mistake, we’re going to fix it.”
— Tony Stewart, former NASCAR team owner and Cup Series champion
Stewart pointed out that approximately 70% of success in stock car racing depends on driver skill, while the remaining 30% lies with the crew’s performance. In contrast, NHRA outcomes rest heavily on car tuning and setup precision. He also noted that drag racing suits weigh about ten pounds more than those worn in stock car races, highlighting physical differences between the sports.
Impact and Future Implications of the Stewart-Abreu Partnership
The fusion of Tony Stewart Racing with Rico Abreu’s talents ushers in a new era for the Kubota High Limit Racing Series, potentially elevating the competition and fan interest. However, Kyle Larson’s candid reflections underscore a tension between growth and tradition in sprint car racing’s evolving landscape. Larson’s concern about losing a team within the broader motorsports ecosystem signals possible upcoming changes in how teams operate and collaborate in the future.
The collaboration allows Stewart to remain connected to sprint car racing, even as his scope broadens across various motorsports categories, signaling a shift in roles for veteran drivers who balance multiple responsibilities. Watching how this partnership influences race outcomes and team dynamics will be critical for fans and stakeholders alike as the 2026 season approaches.
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
