Brad Sweet is hoping actions speak louder than words when it comes to High Limit Racing’s first season as a national touring series.
During his Race Industry Week appearance on Friday afternoon, just over two hours after the High Limit schedule was released, the series co-owner discussed the immediate response he’s received regarding the 60-race calendar.
“There’s always going to be some people who are upset and some people who love what we’re doing,” Sweet said. “It just depends who you ask.”
But once the rubber meets the road and High Limit Racing travels south to Florida for its Feb. 12-13 season opener at East Bay Raceway, the five-time World of Outlaws champion is confident the series will prove some of its critics wrong.
“Once we showcase our driver roster and what we’re doing and what we’re trying to do to grow sprint car racing and grassroots racing, I think action will speak louder than words,” Sweet said.
So far, two drivers have announced intent to run the full High Limit schedule — Sweet and Shark Racing’s Jacob Allen. Kyle Larson, who co-owns the series with Sweet, will contest the Midweek Money Series. During Friday’s call, Sweet noted that High Limit Racing officials have allotted resources for 14 full-time teams on the tour.
“I think we’re well on our way to that number,” Sweet said. “Once we get to announce that to the public, I think our lineup is as strong as anything out there.”
The 37-year-old also clarified the majority of the response to High Limit’s expansion has been positive since the organization purchased the All Star Circuit of Champions from Tony Stewart in late October.
“For the most part, it’s been positive, especially for the race teams and drivers, as well as a lot of the race tracks that are supporting us,” Sweet said. “I would say the majority of the fans are excited to see more action-packed sprint car racing.”
He mentioned the tow money for the 14 full-time teams will be in the $400,000 range, which will be paid out in monthly installments based on the teams’ standing in the points. In addition, the series is touting a $1 million point fund with $250,000 to the champion.
Sweet addressed a few of the high-dollar races on the schedule — two of which occur during High Limit’s western swing in August.
“Very excited that we were able to make the Gold Cup Race of Champions (at California’s Silver Dollar Speedway) $100,000 to win. That’s something that means a lot to Kyle (Larson and I and Colby (Copeland, track owner),” Sweet said. “We really wanted to improve 410 sprint car racing on the West Coast.”
Notably, the Gold Cup date was moved forward two weeks (to Aug. 22-24) after having a traditional after Labor Day date for 69 years. Sweet explained that the reason was to accommodate Port Royal Speedway’s Tuscarora 50, which will take place Sept. 5-7.
60-Race, $4 Million High Limit Racing Schedule
High Limit will also visit Washington’s Skagit Speedway for a $100,000-to-win race on Aug. 31.
Along with the venture out to the western side of the country, as a racer, Sweet is simply looking forward to doing something new.
“I think the biggest thing for me is just having a different schedule with a little bit of freedom. When you run 10 straight years doing the same thing, very similar schedule, 90 nights, kind of every weekend — it’s really refreshing to look at a 60-race schedule with some off weekends or room to choose what you want to do,” Sweet said.
So, what’s the ideal situation for Sweet once the High Limit season is all said and done?
“I just want to have a successful year. I want people to talk positively about what they see with High Limit,” Sweet said. “I want the fans that come to the race track to talk about how efficient, how great the atmosphere was, how accessible the drivers were, how much emphasis we’re putting on fan engagement — I think it’s a lot of different things.”