The recent Tony Stewart Racing partnership with Rico Abreu has sparked mixed reactions within the motorsports community, with Kyle Larson pointing out both benefits and concerns about the development. As Tony Stewart Racing prepares for the 2026 Kubota High Limit Racing Series season, attention has focused on the implications of this new alliance for sprint car racing’s ecosystem.
Kyle Larson Reacts to Tony Stewart and Rico Abreu Collaboration
Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson has openly shared his thoughts on the new Tony Stewart Racing partnership, particularly the announcement that Rico Abreu will pilot the #24 winged sprint car for the team. This move was confirmed by Tony Stewart Racing on September 17, 2025, with Abreu set to take the wheel in the upcoming season of the Kubota High Limit Racing Series.
Larson expressed mixed emotions regarding the merger, recognizing the opportunity for growth in the High Limit Racing Series while raising a concern about the broader impact of the partnership. In an interview, he addressed what he saw as a notable downside:
“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
The partnership comes after a longstanding friendship between Tony Stewart and Rico Abreu, whose relationship dates back to their first meeting at the 2012 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. While Abreu has praised Stewart’s character and described racing for TSR as a dream opportunity, Larson’s comments highlight the complex dynamics such mergers introduce for teams and drivers.
No Surprise for Larson as Stewart Expands Sprint Car Involvement
Continuing his perspective, Larson suggested that Stewart’s decision was foreseeable given his busy schedule and desire to remain connected to sprint car racing. He elaborated on the logical nature of the partnership:
“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
Rico Abreu has been enjoying a standout season, currently leading the High Limit Racing Championship points table and having accumulated nine wins. His alliance with Tony Stewart is seen as mutual fulfillment of shared aspirations, though Larson’s remarks suggest possible challenges for the competitive environment as team mergers reduce the number of independent teams.
Tony Stewart’s Evolving Role Across Motorsports
Tony Stewart, well-known as both a former NASCAR team owner and Champion, has transitioned his focus into the NHRA Top Fuel series after his wife Leah Pruett stepped back from racing in 2024 to prioritize family. Stewart’s efforts there were immediately impactful, culminating in a regular season championship at Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2025. This accomplishment further elevates his profile and demonstrates his adaptability across disciplines, from stock cars to drag racing.
Stewart Explains Distinctions Between NHRA Drag Racing and NASCAR
During a recent discussion on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, Tony Stewart elaborated on the contrasts between NHRA drag racing and NASCAR stock car racing. He discussed the unique structure and skill requirements of each series, noting the stark difference in race length and style. Stewart emphasized how drag races last just a few seconds, while NASCAR races extend over several hours and hundreds of laps, each demanding different strategies and skills.
“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 Champion
Stewart also explained that success in stock car racing is largely determined by driver performance—contributing approximately 70%—with the crew accounting for the rest. On the other hand, NHRA racing places almost total emphasis on car tuning and setup, and even the safety suits differ in weight compared to stock car racing apparel. These insights reveal Stewart’s commitment to mastering the details and challenges of multiple motorsports arenas.
What the Tony Stewart Racing Partnership Means for Sprint Car Racing
The Tony Stewart Racing partnership with Rico Abreu marks a significant development for the 2026 Kubota High Limit Racing Series, reinforcing Stewart’s ongoing presence in sprint car racing even as his career expands into NHRA. Kyle Larson’s remarks reflect both excitement and reservations about this merger. While it brings more visibility and support to the series, it also raises questions about team diversity and competition—a broader issue for organizations like NASCAR and beyond.
As the motorsports community observes how this collaboration unfolds, attention will remain on key figures such as Larson, Stewart, and Abreu, as well as their teams and the championships they pursue. The impact of the Tony Stewart Racing partnership is set to shape the competitive landscape of sprint and stock car racing in the seasons to come.
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
