Just days ago, Tony Stewart Racing dropped the exciting news that Rico Abreu will be behind the wheel of the No. 24 winged sprint car for the 2026 Kubota High Limit Racing Series season. Rico and Stewart go way back, fast friends since the first encounter at the 2012 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. Abreu, who currently tops the High Limit Racing Championship, has nine victories and calls driving for TSR a dream come true. Yet, while the merger sparks excitement, does Abreu’s rival, Kyle Larson, feel the same?

Earlier this year, Kyle Larson and Brad Sweet, the co-owners of High Limit Racing, introduced a groundbreaking franchise system, drawing inspiration from NASCAR’s charter model but tailored to the unique dynamics of sprint car racing. This innovative approach aims to provide long-term stability and financial growth for the team owners. Under the system, HLR plans to allocate up to $18,000,000 over the next four years, with the initial $3.9 million distributed in 2026. The strategic move not only enhanced the competitiveness of the series but also ensured a sustainable and lucrative future for its participants. But amidst this new and bold system, Larson has his concerns about the merger.

Speaking to Bob Pockrass, he said, “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.”

Kyle Larson‘s only argument is the loss of a team to a bigger ecosystem in the High Limits world. The top 10 teams, including the five highest finishers from the 2024 season, will receive a guaranteed payout, with $4.6 million allocated to the original franchises. For better understanding, here is a year-by-year breakdown:

• In 2026, the Franchise System is set to pay up to $3,970,000 to teams, including $2.6M guaranteed.
• In 2027, the Franchise System is set to pay up to $4,322,500 to teams.
• In 2028, the Franchise System is set to pay up to $4,620,000 to teams.
• In 2029, the Franchise System is set to pay up to $5,032,500 to teams, with up to $4.5M guaranteed to 15 potential franchisees by that year.

And in that list of top five finishers, Rico Abreu Racing (No. 24) has been selected by HLR in 2024 for the Kubota High Limit Racing Franchise System. Beyond that, Kasey Kahne Racing (No. 49), Clauson-Marshall Racing (No. 7BC), Roth Motorsports (No. 83), and Murray-Marks Motorsports (No. 19) are also finalized. And once the 2025 season closes, five more teams will be added according to their average from the last two seasons. HLR also aims to add five new teams by the 2026-2027 season.

The merger with TSR could improve competition performance while logging in the guaranteed franchise payout, making the partnership both a sporting and strategic business win. And with Abreu leading the High Limit Racing Championship with 10 wins this season, joining hands with his friend and mentor, Stewart, will only mean that his full-time racer aspirations will come to fruition in a much more successful way. But at the same time, Larson’s caution about the bittersweet side reflects that consolidating teams slightly reduces the diversity of independent franchises in the series, which could impact the competition dynamics.

Now with Larson’s bold plans in HLR in motion, Rico Abreu understands how important it is to win. But amid all this planning for HLR, Larson’s Cup Side of racing is taking a big hit as the NASCAR Cup Series race progresses to the Round of 12 in Loudon, and the 2021 Cup Series champion is well aware of the struggles with his beloved Hendrick Motorsports team.

Kyle Larson admits HMS’ struggle in the playoffs

Hendrick Motorsports faced significant challenges during the last race of the Round of 16 at the Bristol Motor Speedway race in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Despite strong qualifying performances, with Kyle Larson and William Byron starting in the top ten, the race proved tumultuous for the team. Alex Bowman encountered mechanical issues, leading to an 8th-place finish. Byron suffered a tire blowout while running in the top five, further hindering the team’s efforts. Although only Larson, William Byron, and Chase Elliott managed to advance to the next Round of 12 at Loudon, the overall performance highlighted that the teams struggled during this critical playoff stage. And Larson is laying down his thoughts.

Speaking to Frontstretch after the qualifying session at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Larson didn’t hold back. He said, ”  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.”

Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports have been chasing a victory at NHM for more than a decade, with Kasey Kahne the last to win there back in 2012. Larson, a three-time runner-up at Loudon, still hasn’t managed to claim a victory there. Byron has yet to break into the top 10 in seven appearances, and Alex Bowman’s struggles are equally evident with an average finish of 24.4. And now, with Larson’s 16th-place starting position and his championship hopes under fire, it is going to be an uphill battle for him and HMS as the rounds progress.