10/18/2024
Kubota High Limit Racing
Inaugural Championship Awards Banquet a Smashing Success for Kubota High Limit Racing
The first national campaign for Kubota High Limit Racing officially concluded on Sunday night with a first-class Championship Awards Banquet at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall in the heart of the Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas.
More than $1 million in points fund money was handed out to the 16 full-time teams who committed to Kubota High Limit Racing for the 52-race, eight-month, coast-to-coast journey.
The ceremony set the stage for many unforgettable moments such as Hall of Famer Ricky Warner paying tribute to his mentor and best friend Barry Jackson, who will move off the road to be Team Manager for CJB Motorsports and spend more time with family in 2025.
Beloved Australian James McFadden filled the venue with tears when he announced the end of his full-time career in America, deciding it’s time to finally return home and raise a family with his partner Zoe and son Maverick. Of course, J-Mac said goodbye with his famous shoe-y alongside his Roth Motorsports mates.
The night ended with a fiery and impassioned championship speech from Brad Sweet on the state of the new series and the growth of the sport, sending the season off with a standing ovation from his fellow competitors.
The complete Championship Awards Banquet - with all 16 speeches included - can be found on the FloRacing app and FloRacing YouTube channel.
On top of the impressive first-year point fund, another tens of thousands of dollars in contingency prizes was awarded to teams, including:
The Musco Lighting Most Improved Driver: Rico Abreu, took home an extra $5,000 for improving his average finish from the first half to second half more than any other driver. After barely averaging a top-10 finish in the opening half, the RAR #24 team turned it on the latter half of the year with a top-five average finish as they rose to P3 in the championship standings.
The Cometic Gasket Crew Chief of the Year: Eric Prutzman, earned an extra $5,000 as the lead man on the champion Kasey Kahne Racing #49 - his sixth-consecutive title as crew crew with Brad Sweet. The $5,000 bonus came on top of $2,500 that Prutzman had already earned in monthly bonuses, topping the Cometic Gasket Crew Chief of the Month standings in April, May, June, September & October.
The Kubota Genuine Parts Spirit Award: voted on by the full-time travelers of
Kubota High Limit Racing from drivers, crews, staff, etc. went to the most enthusiastic, positive, and genuine person on the road. The award was given to infield reporter Tony LaPorta, along with a $5,000 check.The keys to the High Roller themed Jake's Golf Cart went home with "Sunshine" Tyler Courtney, who earned the coveted cart in a tiebreaker over Corey Day after both drivers ended the season with eight Fastest Lap Awards across the 52 features in 2024.
Tyler Courtney also claimed an extra $2,500 with the FK Rod Ends Bonus, awarded to the driver who won the most FK Rod Ends Dashes in 2024 - which came down to another tie, decided by points, between Courtney, Rico Abreu, and James McFadden.
For appearing in more FK Rod Ends Dashes (31) and answering the ButlerBuilt
Professional Seat Systems Hot Seat Question more than anyone else, Brad Sweet was presented a certificate for a new ButlerBuilt Seat.The Sunoco Race Fuels Champions Award also sent the Kasey Kahne Racing #49 team home with 10 barrels of Sunoco Race Fuel.
The Racing Electronics Commitment Award was given to Brenham Crouch, who
received a new set of RE Ear Molds and a RE-ciever one-way radio.Additional contingencies included a complete magneto blueprint from BR Motorsports for Brent Marks and Kasey Kahne, a $500 product certificate from TJ Forged for Jacob Allen, and four DMI Torsion Bars for Tanner Thorson.
Comp Cams also awarded the top-three engine builders, Capetta Engines, Stanton Racing Engines and Speedway Motors, with $500, $300 and $200 product certificates, respectively.
Up next for Kubota High Limit Racing is the debut of High Limit International: Perth. Held on December 28, 29 and 30 at Perth Motorplex in Western Australia, the $100,000-to-win event is the highest paying event in Australian sprint car history. Three-day ticket packages are available now here. And, as always, every lap will be streamed live on FloRacing.
Article Credit: Brian Walker
