Spire Motorsports High Limit Racing campaign will make its debut in 2026, bringing the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team’s passion for open-wheel racing into the national spotlight. Partnering with accomplished driver Giovanni “Gio” Scelzi and legendary crew chief Eric Prutzman, Spire sets its sights on the Kubota High Limit Racing series and the division’s championship, working in close partnership with Clauson Marshall Racing.
Expanding beyond their well-known efforts in NASCAR, Spire Motorsports is fully committed to the 410 winged sprint car scene. Their entry, piloted by Scelzi, will contest all 66 scheduled events in the High Limit Racing series. With this strategic move, the organization aims to solidify its presence in both stock car and dirt racing communities.
Expert Leadership and Racing Legacy Enrich New Program
Eric Prutzman, one of the most celebrated crew chiefs in the sport, will lead Spire’s High Limit Racing challenge. Prutzman boasts a remarkable record, having secured six consecutive national championships with Brad Sweet. His leadership brings significant experience and credibility to the team’s open-wheel pursuit, aligning with Spire’s energetic and passionate approach to racing.
Giovanni Scelzi, at just 24 years old, adds a wealth of racing achievements to the mix. As the 2023 World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year and the son of motorsports legend Gary Scelzi, Gio has already amassed 12 victories, 88 top-five, and 232 top-10 finishes on the national level. His diverse career has included pivotal wins at World of Outlaws and All-Star Circuit of Champions events, as well as a foray into pavement racing, which saw him claim a late model victory at Irwindale Speedway and a win at All American Speedway during the 2020 ARCA Menards Series West season.
Scelzi’s drive to succeed is further demonstrated by his ability to adapt between disciplines, with career milestones such as becoming the youngest winner in World of Outlaws history at age 16 and setting the same record at Knoxville Raceway just a year later.
Major Partnerships and Strategic Acquisitions Power 2026 Effort
In preparation for their 2026 entry, Spire Motorsports joined the High Roller Club, a membership initiative that supports race teams with sustainability and long-term participation rights. Benefits include annual payouts and guaranteed involvement in Kubota High Limit Racing for four years, distributing up to $18 million in total value.
Looking to bolster their competitive edge, Spire purchased the highly-coveted High Limit Racing “9 Card” from Jason Myers Racing after the 2025 season finale at Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track. This acquisition marks a significant step and symbolizes their serious commitment to establishing a premier program in sprint car racing.
“Going on the road with High Limit is like a dream come true and to do this with people I have deep respect and appreciation for makes it even better,”
said Spire Motorsports Co-Owner Jeff Dickerson.
“We’ve worked with and for Kyle (Larson), Brad (Sweet), Kendra (Jacobs) and JP (Josh Peterman) for years and I have an immense amount of gratitude to them for not only building a great series but for making a series that offers long-term growth to all of us in a sport we all love. I’m thankful to Tim Clauson and the Marshalls for providing us a launch pad to make this jump and look forward to working closely this season.”
– Jeff Dickerson, Co-Owner, Spire Motorsports
“We are not a NASCAR team that is going dirt racing. We are dirt racers who happen to have a NASCAR team. This is in our blood and we can’t wait to get to Vegas in March.”
– Jeff Dickerson, Co-Owner, Spire Motorsports
Scelzi’s Career Milestones and Excitement for 2026
Giovanni Scelzi’s path to the High Limit Racing stage is a testament to both natural talent and relentless dedication. Launching his career in Jr. Micro Sprints in central California at the age of six, he quickly established himself as one of the sport’s top prospects, capturing the Tulsa Shootout’s 2015 Winged A-Class feature as its youngest winner.
On the grand stage, Scelzi’s growing reputation was cemented with a landmark World of Outlaws triumph at Williams Grove in 2018 and a record-setting All-Star Circuit of Champions victory at Knoxville in 2019. He has continually challenged himself by venturing onto pavement with ARCA Menards Series West and late model victories, before returning to his dirt racing roots where he accumulated an impressive tally of podiums and feature wins.
During the 2023 World of Outlaws season, Scelzi’s rookie campaign delivered one win, three poles, 18 top-five, and 48 top-10 finishes, culminating in Rookie of the Year honors. The following year, he seized four wins, including a preliminary victory at the Knoxville Nationals, and rounded out the season with 23 top-five and 53 top-10 results. Midway through 2025, Scelzi transitioned from KCP Racing to Clauson Marshall Racing as a substitute for the injured Tyler Courtney, further strengthening his ties within the top echelon of sprint racing.
“To see the enthusiasm from the employees at Spire Motorsports, that’s really something that made an impact on me,”
said Scelzi, who began his racing career at six-years-old, competing in Jr. Micro Sprints in the central California area.
“The NASCAR stuff is their job but it’s pretty obvious they enjoy sprint car racing. We’ll likely run 80 to 90 times a year at probably 50 different race tracks, but when you have an owner like Jeff who truly loves sprint car racing and comes from that background, it really makes this an exciting opportunity.”
– Giovanni Scelzi, Driver
“I’ve known Eric (Prutzman) for a long time. When I was probably 10- or 12-years-old, when Donny Schatz was driving for Tony Stewart Racing, those guys would work out of my dad’s shop during that three-week West Coast swing and Eric was the tire guy at the time, so we became friends and stayed in touch. I’ve watched Eric’s career and he’s had amazing success. The guys who run up front all have really good equipment so, now more than ever, it’s the people. Having someone as accomplished as Eric is just as important as the equipment.”
– Giovanni Scelzi, Driver
Chili Bowl Nationals and Scelzi’s Return to Tulsa
Beyond the High Limit Racing focus, Giovanni Scelzi will take on the renowned Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, piloting a Chili’s-sponsored entry for Spire Motorsports that is prepared by legendary Keith Kunz. The Chili Bowl, which draws nearly 400 entries and only grants a select few the chance to compete for the coveted Golden Driller, has a special place in Scelzi’s journey. He previously advanced to the A-Main in 2018 and, as the youngest Tulsa Shootout victor, aims to write a new chapter in his midget racing history.
“I’m thrilled to race the Chili Bowl, again,”
said Scelzi.
“I’ve run it three times in the past. I ran for Clauson Marshall Racing my first time and made the show. The two years after that, I was there with Chad Boat Racing. To race a car prepared by Keith Kunz at the Chili Bowl is a dream come true. They’ve won prelim after prelim and Saturday after Saturday. The Chili Bowl is an event where being lucky is just as important as having a fast race car and putting yourself in position to win a race. I’m really looking forward to getting back there. I’m really grateful to Jeff, Keith and the whole team at Chili’s for the opportunity.”
– Giovanni Scelzi, Driver
Future Impact and Anticipation Builds for 2026 Campaign
As Spire Motorsports accelerates preparations for 2026, the combination of leadership, proven talent, and key partnerships sets the stage for an ambitious assault on the High Limit Racing series. The team’s dual focus on creating stability through the High Roller Club and assembling top-tier racing personnel highlights an energized commitment to long-term success. Fans and competitors alike will be watching as Spire Motorsports High Limit Racing prepares to make its mark, starting with the anticipated season opener at Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s Blackjack Bash in March. The organization’s diverse background and passion for dirt track competition signal an exciting new era for both the team and the sport.
