Revamping Racing with Charters: High Limit Racing, supported by Kyle Larson, is causing ripples in the dirt track racing realm with its bold vision. Reports suggest the series is gearing up to introduce a NASCAR-style charter system by 2026, purportedly sharing 50% of streaming revenue with the chartered teams.
Back in 2016, NASCAR rolled out the charter system for the Cup Series, handing out 36 complimentary entries to established teams meeting specific criteria. Now, the High Limit Sprint Car Series, under the ownership of Kyle Larson and five-time World of Outlaws champion Brad Sweet, has its sights set on distributing 10 charters across the next two seasons.
Following the 2024 season finale, five teams are slated to snag charters based on their season-long points. Similarly, after the 2025 season, five more charters await the top performers across both seasons. These additional charters reportedly target top-performing teams that initially missed out on the original five.
The charter system in the High Limit Series is set to kick off in full swing by 2026, earmarking 50% of media revenue for the chartered teams. These squads will receive fixed monthly payments, contingent on their performance. Factors such as average finishing positions, race victories, and championships are purported to influence the revenue distribution.
Reports suggest strict guidelines: charter leasing won’t be permitted, limiting ownership to a maximum of two charters per owner. To retain these charters, teams must commit to full-time participation in the series.
Co-owner Brad Sweet expressed a strong desire to reward teams, lauding them as the sport’s backbone. He emphasized the aim to align with team owners, ensuring a revenue share that grows alongside the series’ development, forging a united front.
While the duration of the charter deal remains unclear, it’s speculated to endure as long as the media partnership with streaming platform FloSports persists.
Kyle Larson, a fervent advocate of sprint car racing and the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, finds promoting the High Limit Series immensely fulfilling. Larson reflected on the enthusiastic fan turnouts and interactions, considering them a testament to his impact in fostering growth in sprint car racing.
In his words, Larson remarked, “It’s really rewarding. I love seeing the grandstands packed at all these tracks I went to as a kid and seeing the long lines at my trailer every night. The pictures and selfies. It makes me feel like I’m really making a difference in growing Sprint Car racing.”
Moreover, Larson, the reigning champion of the inaugural High Limit Sprint Car Series, recently unveiled a robust 60-race schedule for the upcoming 2024 season.
ALSO READ: High Limit Racing Ace Duo: Kasey Kahne and Brad Sweet Rev Up for the 2024 Sprint Car Thrill
Our Reader’s Queries
What is a charter in racing?
By securing a charter, you not only gain entry into every Nascar Cup Series points race, but also a share of the purse. This ensures that you are a part of the field and have the opportunity to compete at the highest level.
Can you race in NASCAR without a charter?
Racing without charters can be a costly affair, which is why most teams opt for limited schedules. The lack of a real return on investment further adds to the challenge. In fact, the last time a team ran a full-season effort without a charter was in 2021, when JTG Daugherty and Ryan Preece took on the No. 37.
How much does a charter cost in NASCAR?
The annual payout for charters usually amounts to approximately US$5 million per car. However, this amount may vary depending on various factors, such as the car’s on-track performance.
When did NASCAR start using charters?
NASCAR introduced a charter system in 2016, ensuring 36 teams a starting spot in all 36 regular season point races. The original charter teams were selected based on their consistent attempts to qualify for every race over the past three years.
