Ty Gibbs stunned the racing world by outperforming Kyle Larson in a dramatic High Limit Racing event at Texas Motor Speedway’s dirt track, racing to victory in a heat and making the A-Main for only the second time in his 410 Sprint Car career. The race, held in Fort Worth, drew widespread attention as Gibbs, competing in just his second outing in a 410 Sprint Car, managed to beat Larson—a legend in dirt track racing and co-founder of the High Limit series—in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
This accomplishment marked a significant milestone for Ty Gibbs, reinforcing his reputation as a rising star in American motorsports. The event was the Kubota High Limit Racing Stockyard Stampede, one of the headline shows on the dirt track calendar. Gibbs, still relatively new to Sprint Cars, showcased remarkable composure and skill, going wheel-to-wheel with Larson and edging out the veteran to win their heat. The importance of the win was magnified by Larson’s credentials: not only is he one of the country’s top dirt racers, but he had also never finished worse than third in eight Sprint Car starts this season before facing Gibbs at Texas.
Kyle Larson piloted the powerful No. 57 car for Silva Motorsports, the same car with which he had captured three World of Outlaws wins this year alone. Prior to his duel with Ty Gibbs, Larson already notched a High Limit Racing victory this season and a runner-up finish. That evening’s field also featured several NASCAR Cup Series standouts, including Christopher Bell—making his High Limit debut with Kreitz Racing’s No. 69K—and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., in his third Sprint Car start of the year. Dirt racing veterans such as Brad Sweet, Tyler Courtney, and Rico Abreu filled out a competitive and experienced lineup. Kasey Kahne and Corey Day, who are both known for their cross-series prowess, added further depth to the roster.
Ty Gibbs’ achievement is made even more remarkable given his short Sprint Car history. Earlier this season, he qualified for the A-Main in his debut appearance at Las Vegas, only to crash and finish 27th. However, his ability to immediately rebound and deliver this kind of performance at Texas showcases both his talent and determination. Jeff Gluck, a respected motorsports journalist, highlighted Gibbs’ strong showing in a tweet, noting, “Ty Gibbs winning a heat race over Kyle Larson and making the A-Main for a second straight 410 Sprint Car race is impressive.”
Larson’s involvement at Texas was not limited to dirt track racing. He also made headlines by stepping in as a substitute driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, replacing the injured Connor Zilisch in the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. Zilisch, just 18, had suffered a back injury during a crash at Talladega, prompting his team and Larson to quickly coordinate for the Texas race. Zilisch publicly thanked Larson for his support and willingness to step in, sharing the announcement on social media and wishing the team success. Zilisch, despite having no fractures on X-rays, prioritized recovery, leaving questions about his return timeline and how his absence may affect his pursuit of Rookie of the Year honors.
The outcome of this High Limit Racing event is significant for several reasons. Ty Gibbs’ victory over a decorated competitor like Kyle Larson signals a potential shift in the competitive landscape, particularly as Gibbs quickly adapts to the unique challenges of Sprint Car racing. With his rapid rise, sponsors and teams may soon see him as a genuine dual-discipline threat, capable of contending on both dirt and asphalt. As the season continues, all eyes will remain on Ty Gibbs and whether he can build on this momentum, further unsettling the established order in one of auto racing’s most dynamic environments.
