Earlier in the week, I discussed the financial breakdown between the High Limit series and the World of Outlaws and why each series could make sense for certain teams. Now, with both schedules being released, we have more clarity on what that looks like for the 2024 season. We know that the WoO have the higher points fund, the better tow package and higher purses, so High Limit did what they needed to do to persuade teams and drivers to join their series.
The main selling point for the High Limit series is that there is no “exclusivity” within the series, meaning drivers who have signed on to run for the points championship are not limited in where else they can race. At first glance, the High Limit group hit the nail on the head when it comes to how they planned and organized their schedule.
If High Limit teams wanted, they could run the first 16 races on the WoO schedule without interfering with any High Limit points races. The WoO schedule starts at Volusia on Feb. 7-10, and the High Limit schedule doesn’t start at East Bay until Feb. 12-13. High Limit then travels to Golden Isles on Feb. 22-24 before taking a long break until April 9 at Riverside International Speedway. Theoretically, full-time High Limit teams could then run the 12 races on the WoO schedule in March and early April.
Logistically, High Limit teams could hit about 25 other races on the WoO schedule. Those races include the 4/26-27 dates at Knoxville, the Huset’s High Bank Nationals on 6/19-22, the 7/16 show at Attica, the 7/24 show at BAPS, the 7/26-27 shows at Williams Grove, the King’s Royal at Eldora, the Iron Man 55 at Pevely, the Knoxville Nationals, the National Open and all of the races at the World Finals in Charlotte.
While there are plenty of other dates the High Limit teams could hit, not all of them make sense logistically. Drivers and teams will be forced to miss the Roth Classic at Tulare that will pay $83,000 to win. High Limit full-timers will also be forced to miss the Jackson Nationals on August 16-17.
For a driver looking to scale back the amount of races they run, the 60-race High Limit schedule could be more appealing than the 86-race WoO schedule. Both series have some tough travel dates, with the High Limit series going over 2,700 miles from Skagit to Port Royal and the WoO going 2,400 miles from Tulare to Wayne County. That could be a dealbreaker for some, but the amount of money being put up on the West Coast by both series is definitely something to watch.
It’s that type of flexibility that could attract some drivers that have yet to announce their 2024 plans. While they wouldn’t be able to hit every single high-paying 410 sprint car race in the country, they would be able to have a loaded schedule. I think the fears and rumors that High Limit wouldn’t have a strong driver roster in 2024 could be premature, as they really hit the nail on the head with this schedule. Stay tuned for more updates.
Subscribe to the Monday Methanol Newsletter. It is completely free and will go directly to your inbox every Monday!
One thought on “High Limit Schedule Gives Teams Flexibility”