Kyle Larson High Limit Racing is set to reshape international sprint car competition, with Larson returning to Perth Motorplex for the 2025 High Limit Racing International alongside an expanded group of American stars. As the event’s winner’s purse grows and elite drivers commit to the challenge, the race is shifting from a regional showcase to a premier battleground for global sprint car supremacy.
American Influence Elevates Perth Motorplex Rivalry
Last year, Kyle Larson traveled to Australia and captured victory at the Perth Motorplex, earning $100,000 AUD—the largest payout in Australian sprint car history. For 2025, Larson returns with an entourage of American drivers, signaling a new era for the Kubota High Limit Racing International. The race will now offer an increased top prize of $110,000 AUD, which has heightened the level of competitiveness and commitment among the participants.
“It’s going to be an awesome event, having all your same Australian guys that were there last year are gonna be back. Hopefully, some more will make their way over. As you mentioned, a lot more Americans, I think, Buddy is even running. I feel like, in my opinion, I mean it’s got to be the toughest Australian event of the season,”
Kyle Larson recently revealed in an interview.
This year’s lineup, according to FloRacing, features 11 American entrants including Buddy Kofoid, Brad Sweet, Carson Macedo, Rico Abreu, Aaron Reutzel, Corey Day, Cole Macedo, Brock Zearfoss, Justin Whittall, and Xavier Doney. Their participation represents a significant shift from previous years, transforming the event from a mostly domestic competition into a clash between Australia’s best and an American invasion of sprint car heavyweights.
The atmosphere around the Perth Motorplex has changed as a result. What was once a prestigious exhibition race is now regarded as an international test of skill, attracting increased attention from fans and media. With a larger winner’s purse at stake, the event now requires serious preparation from all competitors, elevating its profile within the global motorsports community.
Kyle Larson: The Standard to Beat
Kyle Larson’s remarkable run in 2025 reinforces his reputation as one of the premier sprint car drivers in the world. Already this year, Larson has accumulated nine sprint car wins, including notable victories at major events like the High Limit Joker’s Jackpot at Eldora, Tulare, the Knoxville Nationals prelims, and four triumphs on the World of Outlaws circuit. These results make him the clear benchmark that other competitors are aiming to surpass in Perth.
Larson’s return is not just about individual glory. His participation and strong results inspire other American drivers to join the challenge, further deepening the competition. The presence of Buddy Kofoid, who will make his Perth debut, adds even more excitement to this year’s event. Kofoid, representing Roth Motorsports, comes off a record-setting World of Outlaws season in which he became the nation’s highest-earning sprint car driver with a million-dollar year that included 13 victories. His highlights feature a $250,000 winning performance at the Huset’s High Bank Nationals, a $55,555 payout at the Eagle Nationals, victory at the Ironman 55 at I-55, and a major win at the World Finals in Charlotte.
The dynamic between Larson and Kofoid, alongside the broader field of elite American and Australian drivers, underscores the race’s transformation into a proving ground where national supremacy and reputations are tested. The Perth Motorplex’s December showdown is no longer simply a highlight on Australia’s calendar; it is shaping up as a genuine international focal point for the sport.
High Limit Racing’s Impact Extends Beyond Australia
Kyle Larson High Limit Racing’s global ambitions do not end in Perth. The wider sprint car world is also watching Larson’s movements leading up to the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals — a cornerstone event on the dirt racing calendar. The Chili Bowl, set for January 12–17 at the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, draws the sport’s most accomplished competitors and routinely delivers unpredictable and high-stakes racing.
Kyle Larson, as the defending champion, has already filed his entry, setting the stage for another fiercely contested edition. His presence consistently elevates the standard at this event, with his recent Chili Bowl performances cementing his status as the man to beat. In 2020, Larson claimed his first Golden Driller, defeating Christopher Bell in a memorable showdown. He followed up with a dominant 2021 victory and delivered arguably the most resounding performance in recent history during 2025, leading all 40 laps in the A-Feature to seize his third Golden Driller in five years.
What distinguishes Larson is not just his occasional wins but his ability to make success appear routine at an event where chaos typically prevails. His streak of three victories in five years confirms his elite standing. As soon as his entry for 2026 was confirmed, other top drivers, including Christopher Bell, began committing as well, signaling that the competition for the Golden Driller will again funnel through Larson, who is also the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion.
Expanding the Scope of International Competition
The intensifying rivalry sparked by Kyle Larson High Limit Racing signals a new era for sprint car racing. With more American stars opting to travel abroad and challenge the best on foreign soil, traditional boundaries in the sport are eroding. The increasing winner’s payout at the Kubota High Limit Racing International only further incentivizes top-tier participation from both hemispheres.
Fans of the sport benefit from this trend, as they witness a higher caliber of competition and more dramatic narratives. The Perth Motorplex, which once featured primarily Australian storylines, is now at the center of a global contest. Similarly, the upcoming Chili Bowl Nationals will attract the sport’s elite, with an entry list that grows more talented each year as new challengers try to topple Larson’s dominance.
For drivers like Buddy Kofoid, the lure of these international showdowns is both financial and reputational. Success in these events can define careers, boost earnings, and build legacies, as seen by Kofoid’s 2025 campaign and Larson’s ongoing leadership in the sport. With team strategies and fan expectations continuing to evolve, the direction of sprint car racing is being reshaped by Larson’s influence and the willingness of other contenders to follow.
A New Chapter for Sprint Car Racing
Kyle Larson High Limit Racing’s commitment to international growth is energizing a sport long defined by regional rivalries. Larson’s quest for global supremacy in both the Australian and American dirt racing scenes is reshuffling the competitive landscape and encouraging greater participation at the highest levels. The upcoming races at Perth Motorplex and the Chili Bowl Nationals promise to be pivotal, determining not only event winners but also signaling broader shifts within the world of sprint car racing.
As fans, teams, and sponsors turn their attention to these headline events, every driver knows that emerging victorious means conquering not just a competitive field, but also meeting the new benchmark set by Kyle Larson. His achievements in 2025 and his proactive approach to escalating the sport’s international stature ensure that the coming seasons will be filled with drama, opportunity, and greater global integration for sprint car racing.
