In the NASCAR garage, few drivers match Tony Stewart’s knack for bold decisions. As the first to tackle the grueling Indy 500 and Coke 600 on the same day back in 2001, the three-time Cup Series champion has always pushed boundaries. Now, as the owner of Tony Stewart Racing since 2000, he’s expanding his footprint in sprint car racing, competing in the World of Outlaws and even NHRA drag racing. And his latest move has everyone talking: teaming up with Rico Abreu for a full-time High Limit Racing schedule in 2026.

That shift puts the spotlight on High Limit Racing, co-founded by Kyle Larson and Brad Sweet in 2023. Larson, a standout Cup driver with 32 wins and the 2021 championship under his belt, has thrived on both stock cars and dirt tracks. But lately, he’s stirred things up with a controversial choice right in the middle of the 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR over the charter system. What exactly did this champ decide, and what do Hall of Famer Tony Stewart and his team have to say about it? Let’s dive in.

Kyle Larson’s franchise push shakes up sprint racing

On Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s Dirty Mo Media podcast, Rico Abreu opened up about Kyle Larson’s vision for High Limit Racing, revealing the series’ new franchise system set to launch in 2026. This move mirrors NASCAR’s charter setup, offering teams ownership stakes that gain value over time based on performance. Amid the ongoing NASCAR charter battles, where teams like 23XI argue the system limits competition and revenue sharing, Larson’s decision has sparked debate for potentially bringing similar controversies to sprint car racing.

As Abreu explained, “The vision that Kyle and Larson and Brad Sweet and Flo, you know, Mark Floreani, have created here is very appealing as a business owner to be a part of something like that.” This highlights how the franchise could stabilize the sport, rewarding consistent winners with seeded positions over two-year periods, but critics worry it might create barriers for smaller teams, much like NASCAR’s model.

Kyle Larson himself has championed the franchise as a way to build sustainability in dirt racing. In announcing the system, he stated, “We want to create something where teams can build equity and value in their organizations,” drawing direct parallels to NASCAR’s charters but aiming to avoid their pitfalls by tying value strictly to on-track results. For Abreu, this was a key factor in his switch to Tony Stewart Racing, noting, “Ultimately, that was, you know, one of my major decisions to compete with high-limit full-time.”

Background here ties back to High Limit’s rapid growth since its 2023 start, evolving from midweek events to a national tour with big purses, co-owned by FloSports. Yet, introducing franchises amid NASCAR’s lawsuit, filed in October 2024 over alleged anticompetitive practices, makes Larson’s step bold, potentially shifting sprint racing dynamics toward more professionalized structures while risking divides between established and up-and-coming outfits.

Tony Stewart‘s involvement adds weight, as his team leases the franchise from Abreu, approved by High Limit. Abreu emphasized the business upside, saying, “To be rewarded with a franchise and possibly the number one franchise next year if we can win the championship is going to be a huge step for me on the business side.” This could elevate the sport by attracting more investment, but it echoes NASCAR’s tensions, where charters valued at millions have led to legal fights.

As Abreu put it, “Over time, that’s how you continue to perform, right? It’s going to be performance-based on where you’re seeded over a two-year period.” Ultimately, this franchise push might professionalize sprint racing, boosting financial stability but inviting scrutiny on fairness. Abreu’s arrival at TSR marks the end of an era for another sprint car legend. What led to this change, and how does it reshape the team?

Donny Schatz ends decade-long run with TSR

Donny Schatz‘s departure from Tony Stewart Racing after 18 years closes a chapter filled with dominance in the World of Outlaws. The 10-time series champion announced the split in August 2025, citing a desire for new challenges after a storied partnership. This move comes as TSR pivots to High Limit, freeing Schatz to pursue his own path, possibly staying in WoO but with another team, where he holds 315 wins.

The background stems from TSR’s strategic shift to High Limit’s full schedule, requiring roster adjustments. Schatz, who joined in 2008, helped build the team into a powerhouse, securing championships from 2014 to 2018. Stewart commended the legacy, saying, “We’ve had a driver-team owner relationship that has gone beyond that partnership; he’s become part of my extended family through the years, and I have the utmost respect for him and what his career represents—a generational driving talent.” Yet, with Abreu stepping in, the change underscores evolving priorities in dirt racing, where series like High Limit offer fresh competition and business models.

Looking ahead, Schatz plans to field Big Game Motorsports’ No. 15 car for the next 7 races, as the Big Game team stated, “We’re excited to have Donny Schatz run a second team car during the next seven World of Outlaws races.” This transition not only refreshes TSR but also highlights how driver-team dynamics can evolve, even after decades of success. Schatz’s exit, while bittersweet, opens doors for both sides in a fast-changing sprint car landscape.