NASCAR insiders react to High Limit 'franchise' format, amid NASCAR charter dispute

High Limit Racing, co-owned by NASCAR driver Kyle Larson, recently announced its “franchise” format, and two insiders have some interesting things to say about it. On The Teardown podcast, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, react to the announcement as NASCAR has its charter dispute with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.

“That was interesting,” Gluck said. “They gave five teams charters, and then five more teams will get them after this year. They’re paying out $18 million over the course of four years. Those charters, by the way, are permanent charters.” Gluck then corrected himself and said the “charters” are “franchises.” He then added, “That’s going to be something interesting to follow. I have a feeling that will somehow appear in the 23XI lawsuit in some sort of filing in some way.”

“At this point, I expect everything to end up being in a lawsuit,” Bianchi said to Gluck. “It’s going to end up in some document, or it’s going to be brought up in court or some press conference or something. It’s just non-stop at this point.

What to know about High Limit Racing and the ‘franchise’ system

Larson founded High Limit Racing with Brad Sweet in 2022. The spring car racing series had its first season in 2023, and Larson and Sweet won the High Limit Racing Series championship in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

The franchise system will begin in 2026, and the teams that have clinched franchises are Kasey Kahne Racing (No. 49), Clauson-Marshall Racing (No. 7BC), Rico Abreu Racing (No. 24), Roth Motorsports (No. 83), and Murray-Marks Motorsports (No. 19). High Limit Racing will pay up to $3.9 million to the 10 teams with franchises next season. By 2029, the 10 teams will be paid $5 million total.

“Franchises are permanent and create long-term value for team owners with the ability to sell and/or transfer the franchise they’ve earned,” High Limit Racing said in its press release. “The year-by-year franchise rankings are determined by a rolling two-year average of point finishes. A pathway will be possible for up to five additional teams to enter the Franchise System over the 2026-27 seasons, creating up to 15 franchisees when the 2028 season begins. More details will be released later this season.”