High Limit vs. World of Outlaws: A Financial Breakdown

The cost to run 70 or more 410 sprint car races per year has become astronomical. In order to incentivize these teams to commit to a national series full-time, the World of Outlaws and High Limit Racing groups have to build a structure that makes sense financially for the best teams in the country. In 2023, the World of Outlaws paid out around 1.6 million dollars for their points funds, and an additional $390,000 (estimated) in tow money for the full-time teams. Like most purse structures, most of that money is distributed to the top teams in the points standings, but other “exclusive” teams that run every race get a nice points money bonus and tow money package.

For some full-time Outlaw teams, 2023 was a down year on the track, but the extra points money and tow package can help heal some of those wounds at the end of the year. With the announcement that High Limit Racing is going national, teams are now faced with a decision for the 2024 season. With the extreme cost of unloading a car each night, the potential financial payout offered by the series has to be one of the main selling points. First, lets take a look at how all of the full-time Outlaws faired in 2023.

2023 World of Outlaws Full-Time Driver Earnings

*numbers are estimated as tow money and exclusitivity bonuses are not clear

• Brad Sweet (confirmed High Limit)
  • Total Races – 79
  • Race Earnings – $463,465
  • WoO Points Earnings – $350,000
  • WoO Tow Money (estimated) – $35,000
  • Total Money Earned – $848,465
• David Gravel (confirmed WoO)
  • Total Races – 80
  • Race Earnings – $793,423
  • WoO Points Earnings – $210,000
  • WoO Tow Money (estimated) – $35,000
  • Total Money Earned – $1,038,423
• Carson Macedo (unconfirmed)
  • Total Races – 80
  • Race Earnings – $475,178
  • WoO Points Earnings – $140,000
  • WoO Tow Money (estimated) – $35,000
  • Total Money Earned – $650,178
• Gio Scelzi (confirmed WoO)
  • Total Races – 79
  • Race Earnings – $274,760
  • WoO Points Earnings – $122,500
  • WoO Tow Money (estimated) – $35,000
  • Total Money Earned – $432,260
• Logan Schuchart (unconfirmed)
  • Total Races – 80
  • Race Earnings – $1,278,448
  • WoO Points Earnings – $113,750
  • WoO Tow Money (estimated) – $35,000
  • Total Money Earned – $1,427,198
• Donny Schatz (unconfirmed)
  • Total Races – 79
  • Race Earnings – $427,525
  • WoO Points Earnings – $109,375
  • WoO Tow Money (estimated) – $35,000
  • Total Money Earned – $571,900
• Sheldon Haudenschild (unconfirmed)
  • Total Races – 80
  • Race Earnings – $241,151
  • WoO Points Earnings – $105,000
  • WoO Tow Money (estimated) – $35,000
  • Total Money Earned – $381,151
• Spencer Bayston (unconfirmed)
  • Total Races – 80
  • Race Earnings – $197,250
  • WoO Points Earnings – $100,625
  • WoO Tow Money (estimated) – $35,000
  • Total Money Earned – $332,875
• Brock Zearfoss (confirmed WoO)
  • Total Races – 82
  • Race Earnings – $94,603
  • WoO Points Earnings – $96,250
  • WoO Tow Money (estimated) – $35,000
  • Total Money Earned – $225,853
• Shark Racing no. 1A (unconfirmed)
  • Total Races – 80
  • Race Earnings (estimated) – $110,000
  • WoO Points Earnings – $87,500
  • WoO Tow Money – $35,000
  • Total Money Earned – $232,500
• James McFadden (unconfirmed)
  • Total Races – 78
  • Race Earnings – $276,595
  • WoO Points Earnings – $70,000
  • WoO Tow Money (estimated) – $30,000
  • Total Money Earned – $376,595
• Robbie Price (unconfirmed)
  • Total Races – 80
  • Race Earnings – $86,225
  • WoO Points Earnings – $52,500
  • WoO Tow Money (estimated) – $35,000
  • Total Money Earned – $173,725
• Noah Gass (unconfirmed)
  • Total Races – 81
  • Race Earnings – $68,603
  • WoO Points Earnings – $43,750
  • WoO Tow Money – $35,000
  • Total Money Earned – $147,353
• Kasey Kahne (High Limit part time unconfirmed)
  • Total Races – 74
  • Race Earnings – $108,928
  • WoO Points Money – $20,000
  • WoO Tow Money (estimated) – $20,000
  • Total Money Earned – $148,928
• Bill Rose (WoO Confirmed)
  • Total Races – 54
  • Race Earnings – $21,950
  • WoO Points Money (estimated) – $18,000
  • WoO Tow Money (estimated) – $20,000
  • Total Money Earned – $59,950

After the High Limit announcement, the WoO immediately confirmed that they would be increasing their standard race purse from about $58,000 to $70,000 for 2024. They also announced that tow money could double for teams. If that is the case, teams could be bringing in $60,000-$80,000 in tow money in 2024. Additionally, the WoO estimate that they could have at least five races paying over $100,000 to the winner.

So, how could High Limit possibly compete with that and what can they do to lure drivers to commit to their series full-time? First, they announced that there would be no exclusivity requirement for full-time drivers. This means that the drivers can race wherever and whenever they want outside of the High Limit sanctioned races. Schedule permitting, High Limit full-timers could hit every high-paying WoO Crown Jewel race while still remaining eligible for the points fund. Sure, the WoO drivers get to choose four races outside of the schedule, but High Limit will surely be pumping more money into the sprint car world that will force these drivers to sit out some of the highest paying races of the year.

We don’t know what the High Limit points payout and tow money packages will look like yet. They announced that the points fund would be $1,000,000 and the winner would receive $250,000. The tow package has not been confirmed, but I have seen a $400-$500 number being thrown around. Additionally, High Limit will continue their mid-week shows with a separate $100,000 points fund.

When you look the points fund and tow package, the numbers do not really compare. The WoO clearly have the best package. Outside of the freedom to run wherever and whenever they want, what else can High Limit offer? Well, they announced that the series would likely be 50-60 races, meaning there would be some time off compared to the Outlaws rigorous schedule. That could be anywhere from 15-20 less races that teams would have to unload or travel for if they choose. Or, that’s 15-20 races that teams could plan their schedule around to steal some money from the Outlaws or other high-paying races.

Depending on how you look at it, a team on the fence about it can see it one of two ways. The WoO Championship is now wide open with Brad Sweet leaving and there will be more opportunities to win races and finish stronger in the points. Or, the High Limit Championship is intriguing because there will likely be less full-time teams competing for the purse.

Anything can happen, but most are already crowning Brad Sweet as the High Limit champion and the $250,000. If you factor that in, teams are now competing for what could be a $150,00-$175,000 second place prize. Thats still a solid payout, but it would compare to a third place finish in the WoO points standings (roughly $140,000). Depending on how High Limit structures their points fund, a WoO team that was fifth or worse in the standings could be considering a move. It is also worth noting that the All Stars paid out $80,000 to the champion in 2023.

Take Spencer Bayston for example, who earned roughly $333,000 in 2023 after his eighth place finish in the standings. Even with Brad Sweet off the tour, what is Bayston’s ceiling in 2024? I could see him moving into the top five in points, but that would only net him an additional $20,000-$40,000 in points money. Switching to High Limit would cost his team roughly $30,000 in tow money, but less travel could alter that number. If Bayston committed to High Limit, he would likely be a favorite to be top five in points, where he would match his WoO points earnings and have the opportunity to compete for the mid-week championship and in as many other races as he can. The potential is certainly there for a team like Bayston’s to make the switch work financially.

What about the drivers and teams who did not run with the WoO full-time in 2023? Drivers such as Rico Abreu and Brent Marks had impressive earnings, but they lost out on extra money coming from points funds and tow packages. This is how some of the top teams stacked up against the WoO drivers in 2023.

• Rico Abreu – $506,976 / 2nd place High Limit points $
• Brent Marks – $424,814
• Buddy Kofoid – $264,004
• Tyler Courtney – $250,029 / 2nd in ASCOC Points
• Zeb Wise – $246,254 / ASCOC points championship
• Anthony Macri – $231,259
• Brian Brown – $223,983
• Justin Peck – $211,702
• Justin Sanders – $190,480
• Corey Day – $177,130
• Freddie Rahmer – $161,964
• Cory Eliason – $158,450
• Aaron Reutzel – $156,063
• Chase Randall – $136,440
• Kerry Madsen – $133,000

For the top of this list, Abreu, Marks, Kofoid, Courtney and Wise, I think a move to either the Outlaws or High Limit series does make sense. These teams already run a ton of races and the extra incentives from points funds and tow packages could lighten that load. All those teams would be in contention for a top five points position with High Limit, while still having the opportunity to steal money from the big Outlaw races. High Limit will obviously make their mid-week shows flexible with the full-time schedule, offering the possibility of these teams battling for two points funds.

Justin Peck, Anthony Macri and Justin Sanders (if he finds a ride) all could make the move to a full-time touring series as well. Peck and Macri run very aggressive schedules, but they tend to limit their travel during certain stretches of the season. Sanders, who has a ride in California, is a name being thrown around to fill one of the open seats for a national or regional team.

We can rule Brian Brown, Chase Randall, Corey Day and Freddie Rahmer out, as they have all indicated that they would be running similar schedules in 2024 to their 2023 season. Aaron Reutzel has said he wanted to travel less, but his team could be adding a second car with Cory Eliason. If that does happen, I could see Eliason joining High Limit or the Outlaws in 2024.

It remains to be seen what will happen with the two national touring sprint car series in 2024. I do think that there is more of an opportunity for some of these top teams to make more money. While the WoO will remain king with their points fund and tow package, High Limit offers teams a unique opportunity to run for points while maintaining an aggressive schedule that targets the big money races. Stay tuned as more information gets release daily.