NASCAR team owner Jeff Dickerson itched for a return to his short-track racing roots. Giovanni Scelzi sought a fresh change of scenery. Successful crew chief Eric Prutzman was available for hire. Chili’s was ready to take its corporate eatery dirt racing.

So when Jason Meyers Racing put its High Roller Club on the market — the performance-based Kubota High Limit Racing membership that guarantees long-term tour participation and financial benefits earned by 10 teams from the 2024-25 season — the move became a no-brainer.

Everything that goes into assembling a full-fledged Sprint Car program from scratch aligned seamlessly for Spire Motorsports, which on Thursday at the PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis announced that it’ll campaign on the third-year High Limit tour beginning in 2026.

“It was made at the right time, you know, with what Brad (Sweet) and Kyle (Larson) have done with the charter system and the High Limit deal,” Dickerson told FloRacing. “Certainly we have lots of experience on the charter stuff in the NASCAR world. … So it was timing, obviously, and you have the charter system, you had Jason Meyers wanting to do something different.

“When all those things kind of come together, sometimes these decisions get made for you, right?”

That’s not to mention that Dickerson, the USAC Midget mechanic-turned Cup Series co-owner, brings established relationships to the table, including his longtime connection with Kyle Larson and Kendra Jacobs.

Dickerson served as Larson’s agent and manager when the driver transitioned from dirt racing to NASCAR, helping the eventual two-time Cup champ sign his first development deal with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2013 through his Spire Sports + Entertainment that he co-founded in ’10.

Jacobs, meanwhile, worked as Knoxville Raceway marketing director when Spire managed the track’s operations.

“I think with what Brad and Kyle are doing and with the amount of transparency that they show, obviously, I’ve got longstanding relationships with both of them. Add in J.P. (Josh Peterman) and Kendra and a lot of people around High Limit and, you know, we want to go racing with our friends. … You just want to do it with people that you enjoy being with. That’s certainly the High Limit series.”

Dickerson wholeheartedly believes in High Limit’s vision, too, especially the High Roller Club that’ll take effect in 2026. According to industry sources, Dickerson purchased the series membership card from Meyers for more than $400,000.

With a $260,000 value during the 2026 season and that number only increasing in the years to come, Meyers earned the sixth membership card of the 10 awarded to the top-10 teams in the High Limit standings from the 2024-25 seasons.

Dickerson was one of the first NASCAR team owners to acquire a Cup charter, too, which has similarities to High Roller Club memberships. Two years after NASCAR instituted the Cup charter system in 2016, Dickerson’s Spire team bought Furniture Row’s charter for $6 million.

When Stewart-Haas Racing sold three charters between Front Row Motorsports, 23XI Racing and Trackhouse Racing, they went for a combined $84 million. Sprint Car racing won’t ever rival those lofty financials, but Dickerson is convinced he can add value to the discipline in similar fashion.

“Brad has been exposed to what’s good and what’s bad in this sport. I think that all those experiences, you know, led him to a place where it was no more time for words. It was time for action,” Dickerson said. “When they come up with something like a charter system, which again, that’s what skyrocketed our company from being an agency to obviously where we’re at today, was the NASCAR charter system.

“I feel like we can bring our expertise and our experience to help grow High Limit. Having the opportunity to be on the ground floor of something and doing it with our friends, both at High Limit and the guys at Clauson-Marshall Racing, (which Spire has sponsored in recent seasons). And a lot of our friends that are in that pit area. It kind of makes it a no-brainer at the end of the day.”

Dickerson added that “there’s no games” with the High Limit management that “you feel like you’re getting a straight shot every time, so that makes it a lot easier to make decisions.”

“The way that High Limit does it, or at least my experience with High Limit, is you feel like you’re part of the decision making process,” Dickerson said. “You feel like you have a seat at the table.

“I think those are the things that when you’re talking about the charter system and that transparency and everybody feeling like they get a seat at the table.

“We’re all pulling in the same direction. We’re all trying to do something good for the sport and for each other. And those two things don’t have to be exclusive to each other. You can be good stewards of the sport and do something good for yourself at the same time. That’s, I think, what High Limit’s done.”

For the 24-year-old Scelzi, the tour allows him to reset after an offbeat season in which he departed KCP Racing on July 16 during Kings Royal week at Eldora Speedway and eventually finished out the High Limit season for the injured Tyler Courtney with Clauson-Marshall Racing.

“It’s cool with High Limit you get to run all the (World of ) Outlaw shows you want to run, whether it’s Volusia, Knoxville, Kings Royal, World Finals, those big events, you’re still free to run — as well as High Limit going to new racetracks,” Scelzi said on what’s most excited about joining the full-time High Limit roster. “I had never been to Texas Motor Speedway before, I never been to Path Valley (Speedway Park in Pennsylvania). There’s a lot of new racetracks they’re going to that I’ve never been to.

“High Limit is the real deal, the money that they’re putting up and the races they’re going to, and how they’re organizing their race is definitely inviting to me. How quick they get their shows done with Mike Hess being the race director and series director is a key, in my opinion.”

Dickerson sees Scelzi as a driver with “a lot to prove and that’s something I don’t want to dismiss.”

“We think that by putting him with Eric Prutzman and immersing himself in our culture that we’ll be able to extract the most out of him. … We’re certainly only doing this to win,” he added. “I just think that we give him the right tools and the right support that his ability and talent will shine through.”

From staff alone, Dickerson emphasizes just how serious his Spire team will handle its dirt operation. Of the 170-some staffers at Spire Motorsports, roughly a quarter of them have a dirt racing background of some kind.

The hiring of Prutzman, a five-time national champion at Kasey Kahne Racing with Sweet, solidifies Spire’s fledgling Sprint Car operation, giving them a foundation that’s firm to build upon and potentially win championships in the years to come.

“This is a big business. This is a real business. We are not just quote-unquote dirt racing,” Dickerson said. “The High Limit series is the majors, you know what I mean? Like your NASCAR is the majors. It’s, what is the top of your discipline? Obviously if you’re in Sprint Cars, you want to be in High Limit. In stock cars, you want to be in NASCAR. It’s the level of professionalism, it’s the quality of the drivers. When you’re at the top, you’re at the top.”

( December 11, 2025, 22:04 GMT | Official Statement) — MLex Summary: The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports jointly announced their settlement of a US monopolization lawsuit brought by the racing teams against NASCAR, with the parties saying that “this resolution reflects our shared commitment to maintaining a fair and equitable framework for long-term participation in America’s premier motorsport, one that supports teams, partners and stakeholders while ensuring fans enjoy uninterrupted access to the best racing in the world.” As a condition of the settlement agreement, NASCAR will issue an amendment to existing charter holders which includes a form of evergreen charters subject to mutual agreement.Full statement follows:…

Prepare for tomorrow’s regulatory change, today

MLex identifies risk to business wherever it emerges, with specialist reporters across the globe providing exclusive news and deep-dive analysis on the proposals, probes, enforcement actions and rulings that matter to your organization and clients, now and in the longer term.

Know what others in the room don’t, with features including:

• Daily newsletters for Antitrust, M&A, Trade, Data Privacy & Security, Technology, AI and more
• Custom alerts on specific filters including geographies, industries, topics and companies to suit your practice needs
• Predictive analysis from expert journalists across North America, the UK and Europe, Latin America and Asia-Pacific
• Curated case files bringing together news, analysis and source documents in a single timeline

Experience MLex today with a 14-day free trial.

The brand new Vermont Motorsports Hall of Fame welcomed in its inaugural class of 2025 at a ceremony in Milton this past weekend.

Nine people who were either born in Vermont, or who spent most of their career in the state, were recognized for their contribution to motorsports.

The hall of fame recognizes all motorsports, including drag racing, snowmobile and go-kart racing, and tractor pulling.

“The first automobile race in Vermont was in 1903, so we’ve got quite a bit of history to cover,” said Justin St. Louis, president of the Vermont Motorsports Hall of Fame.

St. Louis, 42, grew up around racing. His father drove a stock car, and he also raced a little bit when he was younger.

He spent time working at the speedways in Vermont, and then covering racing and writing about the sport.

A few years ago he began talking with other fans about starting an organization that honors Vermont’s motorsports history.

“The hall of fame was something I wanted to be in as a kid, and then found out there wasn’t one,” St. Louis said. “I’ve been thinking about it for 25 years and then decided to do something about it.”

The ceremony was held at the Vermont SportsCar facility, which builds and modifies cars.

The Milton factory is near the site of the former Catamount Stadium, the track built by the late Vermont sportscar legend Ken Squier, who was one of the inductees.

Also among the inductees was Middlebury native Gardner Stone, who won five national tractor pulling championships during his career.

Stone is 84, and he competed in tractor pulling around the country, and in Europe, up until three years ago.

“It was great,” he said about being honored. “It was one of these once in a lifetime things to be in the inaugural run of something like that. It was overwhelming.”

The other inductees include Shirley Muldowney, who was born in Burlington and went on to become the first woman licensed to compete in National Hot Rod Association races.

John Buffum, Tom Curley, Harmon “Beaver” Dragon, Bobby Dragon, C.V. “Chuck” Elms II and C.J. Richards were also honored.

St. Louis hopes to have a physical museum one day for people to visit, but until then, he said the organization plans to have an annual induction ceremony to continue recognizing the people who built up the motorsports industry in Vermont.

“A lot of these people are starting to die,” St. Louis said. “It’s time to recognize these people before they’re all gone and get their stories, and have a record and give them a chance to celebrate, and be celebrated before it’s too late.”

The NASCAR antitrust trial has reached a settlement. Team owners like Rick Hendrick have celebrated the mutual agreement between the parties involved. Hendrick now has four permanent charters in the Cup Series, charters that will rise in value now, thanks to today’s settlement.

While most teams opted not to join this lawsuit, they will reap the rewards of it. At least, when it comes to permanent charters. That was the big ask the teams kept pursuing in negotiations, and NASCAR would not concede. There were other concessions made that will change the charter agreement.

Rick Hendrick is one of the most successful and storied team owners in the sport. He is happy to see this come to an end. As are most NASCAR fans.

“Millions of loyal NASCAR fans and thousands of hardworking people rely on our industry, and today’s resolution allows all of us to focus on what truly matters – the future of our sport,” Hendrick said in a statement. “For more than 40 years, NASCAR racing has been my passion. I believe deeply in what we can accomplish when we work together.

“This moment presents an important opportunity to strengthen our relationships and recommit ourselves to building a collaborative and prosperous future for all stakeholders. I’m incredibly optimistic about what’s ahead. When our industry is united, there’s no limit to how far we can go or how much we can grow the sport we love.”

Hendrick Motorsports stayed out of this. However, Rick Hendrick and all the other owners can thank 23XI Racing and Front Row. Those charters are only going to go up in value.

Rick Hendrick optimistic about future of NASCAR

The stability that permanent charters give to teams is going to change NASCAR. It might not be overnight, but it will be in time. Rick Hendrick has spent more than 40 years in the industry. The new agreement and charter situation is going to ensure that Hendrick Motorsports has an opportunity to exist for years to come.

Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin were happy with the settlement, obviously. We won’t know the full terms of the settlement. However, we can assume there is a large sum of money being given to the teams.

“From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress. It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees, and fans,” Jordan said in a statement released to the media. “With a foundation to build equity and invest in the future and a stronger voice in the decisions ahead, we now have the chance to grow together and make the sport even better for generations to come. I’m excited to watch our teams get back on the track and compete hard in 2026.”

NASCAR’s antitrust battle ended after months of disagreement and nine drag-out days in court, and Judge Kenneth Bell made clear that the deal struck between NASCAR and the plaintiff teams was not only logical but long overdue.

The lawsuit against Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports ended in a settlement before Rick Hendrick wasted no time sharing his thoughts. There were also statements made by Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin and others involved immediately after the resolution was announced.

And Judge Bell, who took charge of the trial, also made his opinion known that the conclusion was “great for NASCAR”.

Bell told the jury: “Sometimes parties need to see the evidence unfold before recognizing the wisdom of settling a dispute.” Once the jury was dismissed, Bell turned to both sides and said he wished the agreement had arrived earlier.

“I wish we could have done this a few months ago,” he said. “I believe this is great for NASCAR. Great for the future of NASCAR. Great for the entity of NASCAR. Great for the teams and ultimately great for the fans.”

The settlement avoided a prolonged fight over the structure of the charter system. For the teams that pushed the case into court, Bell’s endorsement served as validation that their pressure forced overdue changes.

Full details of the settlement weren’t disclosed, but one condition will see NASCAR administer an amendment to existing charter holders, including a form of “evergreen” charters, subject to mutual agreement. The move concluded last year’s mid-season shakeup, which saw 23XI and FRM lose their charter status and navigate rule changes as the lawsuit progressed.

The complete financial terms of the settlement are confidential and will not be released to the public. NASCAR, 23XI, and FRM released a joint statement following the conclusion of the results, all emphasizing that the sport was most important above all.

“This resolution reflects our shared commitment to maintaining a fair and equitable framework for long-term participation in America’s premier motorsport, one that supports teams, partners, and stakeholders while ensuring fans enjoy uninterrupted access to the best racing in the world. The agreement allows all parties to move forward with a unified focus on advancing stock car racing and delivering exceptional competition for our fans.”

“With this matter now resolved, all parties look forward to working together, alongside all chartered race teams, to deliver world-class events, dynamic sponsorship and partner activation opportunities, and continued growth for generations to come.”

Jordan stated that his goals from the start were all about the progression of the sport for teams, fans, and drivers, while also ensuring that NASCAR didn’t operate as a monopoly. Jordan’s co-owner and Joe Gibbs Racing driver, Denny Hamlin, shared that his fight stemmed from a deep love for the sport that he has had his entire life.

Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins said that the settlement provided confidence for more fairness across chartered teams and that sponsors will also benefit from the decision. NASCAR CEO Jim France said that the settlement proves the brand’s flexibility and commitment to improving the sport.

NASCAR settled with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports on Thursday, nine days after the case began in court.

It agreed to make charters ‘evergreen’ as well as a number of other terms in the settlement. But there is now an awkward situation with six-time NASCAR Cup Series-winning owner Richard Childress.

The 80-year-old was called to the stand to testify and was asked about the potential sale of his team, Richard Childress Racing.Childress was surprised, considering that the information was under an NDA and was not presented as evidence for cross-examination. 23XI Racing — led by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin — and FRM Motorsports also remonstrated. 

“Mr. Childress certainly thought it shouldn’t have been in their possession,” Judge Kenneth Bell said of the demonstration. 

The 80-year-old owns 60% of his racing company (Chartwell Investments owns the remaining 40%). This wasn’t the only thing that upset Childress. 

Leaked text messages from NASCAR president Steve Phelps called Childress both an “idiot” and a “stupid redneck,” with one calling for the veteran owner to be “flogged”. Phelps in court testified he had apologized to Childress for those comments. 

Bass Pro Shops, a longtime sponsor of NASCAR, threatened to pull out of their deal once the text messages came to light. “We are extremely upset by the recent disclosure of shockingly offensive and false criticisms of Richard by the Commissioner of NASCAR, Steve Phelps,” the company wrote in a statement. 

“For the Commissioner and his allies, to attack one of the pillars of the sport is incredibly irresponsible and a disservice to everyone involved in NASCAR and its partners, sponsors, and fans.”

Childress revealed he was considering legal action against NASCAR about the leaked texts before his trial. And he is now also unhappy about how NASCAR gathered information regarding talks that were subject to an NDA. 

NASCAR’s reputation already took a hit with the settlement, despite CEO Jim France’s statement outside the courthouse piggybacking on 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan. 

“I do feel the same, and we can get back to focusing on what we really love, and that’s racing, and we spent a lot of time not really focused on that so much as we needed to be,” he said. “I feel like we made a very good decision here together, and we have a big opportunity to continue growing the sport.”

Now it remains to be seen the fallout from Richard Childress being caught in the crossfire.