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WHAT’S ON THE TABLE: Central Arizona Raceway Expands Cactus Classic to Three-Day Event with Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing

NHRA Dragsters and High Limit Sprint Cars Collide in Phoenix Market this Weekend

CASA GRANDE, ARIZ. (March 17, 2026) - After debuting with a two-day event last year, Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing is returning to Central Arizona Raceway with a bigger three-day special coming to race fans outside of Phoenix - creating an epic doubleheader weekend with High Limit’s Cactus Classic and NHRA’s Arizona Nationals.

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A trio of different winners last week in Las Vegas - Kyle Larson, Corey Day, and Aaron Reutzel - opened up the new year with a bang. As teams head south to the Sonoran Desert, it’s Reutzel and his Ridge & Sons Racing No. 87 leading the early-season championship chase over Tanner Thorson (-2), Rico Abreu (-16), Giovanni Scelzi (-24), and Tyler Courtney (-24).

Outside of the High Rollers, the storylines are plentiful with the return of six-time national champion Brad Sweet, now working with Paul Silva in Kevin Kozlowski’s W machine, and the debut of USAC Triple Crown champion Logan Seavey, now driving Chad Boat’s CB Industries No. 87 in a partnership with Spire Motorsports.

Let’s go ahead and look at what’s on the table this week in Phoenix…

THE CHASE IS ON: Three races down, only 61 to go when it comes to crowning the 2026 Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing champion. After Rick Hendrick’s “Dirt to Daytona” stars topped the first two nights in Vegas, a High Roller joined the win column on the final night of the SugarBee Blackjack Bash and assumed the title lead as the series turned to Arizona.

Runs of 10th, 2nd, and 1st for Aaron Reutzel and Ridge & Sons Racing was enough to leave Las Vegas with the points lead - a drastic turnaround from last year when the Clute, Texas native left the track in an ambulance. A-Aron has the advantage of returning to Central Arizona as the inaugural High Limit winner at the track last year.

Arguably the most impressive driver from the opening weekend wasn’t the man who left with the points lead, but the man right behind him. Tanner Thorson of Minden, Nevada was the only of 37 drivers to score a top-five finish in all three features in Vegas, running 5th, 4th, and 2nd. He has the Rod Gross Motorsports No. 88 a mere two points from topping the early-season charts.

The defending High Limit champion, Rico Abreu, debuted his new operation in the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing, Carquest No. 24. After back-to-back 7th-place finishes, a 3rd-place podium was a welcomed ending for the St. Helena, California native.

“Hot Sauce” Giovanni Scelzi officially opened his full-time High Limit career in the Spire Motorsports, Chili’s Grill & Bar No. 77 with a strong statement. The Fresno, California native debuted with a 3rd-place finish backed by runs of 9th and 8th.

“Sunshine” Tyler Courtney is right behind them with the Clauson-Marshall Racing, NOS Energy Drink No. 7BC in the fifth spot. The Indianapolis, Indiana native battled back from a 17th-place outing on night one to record back-to-back 5th place runs.

SONORAN SUCCESS: A pair of High Rollers, Justin Peck and Hank Davis, took advantage of a late February four-race swing for the American Sprint Car Series to gain some extra laps at Central Arizona Raceway. This weekend, we’ll find out if that haul was worth it.

Peck was especially good in Casa Grande aboard the Rudeen Racing No. 26, winning twice to go along with a runner-up finish and DNF that came while leading in pursuit of a third win. After back-to-back 13th-place finishes to open the High Limit season, the Monrovia, Indiana native fought back with a hard-charging 23rd-to-7th run in the Vegas finale.

Davis, outside of one DNF, finished 4th, 4th, and 6th when he went to Arizona for ASCS action. The Michael Dutcher Motorsports No. 17GP pilot kicked off his High Limit season with runs of 18th-18th-17th as he battles Tanner Holmes for Rayce Rudeen Foundation Rookie of the Year honors.

OUT OF RETIREMENT: While six-time national champion Brad Sweet may have called it a career in full-time competition, he’s not quite ready to completely step away from the cockpit of a sprint car. “The Big Cat” is planning roughly 30-40 races this year in a hybrid effort with Paul Silva’s No. 94 and Kevin Kozlowski’s W cars. The 2024 High Limit champion gets his first taste of national competition this weekend at Central Arizona Raceway after topping a NARC 410 feature at Merced (Calif.) Speedway in February.

The 40-year-old Grass Valley, California native returns as the most recent High Limit winner in Casa Grande, taking last year’s finale in the Kasey Kahne Racing No. 49. He ran fourth in his debut at the track the night before. By qualifying two of the three nights, Sweet will join Rico Abreu (111), Justin Peck (108), and Brent Marks (107) as the fourth driver to start 100+ High Limit features.

SPIRE’S NEW CONNECTION: A full-time championship contender with Giovanni Scelzi driving the Chili’s Grill & Bar No. 77, Spire Motorsports will be connected to a second entry this weekend at Central Arizona Raceway and next week when Vado Speedway Park is highlighted live on FS1 on Tuesday, March 24. Forming a partnership with Chad Boat’s CB Industries team, Logan Seavey has gotten the call to wheel the Freeway Insurance No. 87.

The Sutter, California native is no stranger to Central Arizona Raceway, sweeping the Western World last October. The two-time Chili Bowl winner and USAC Triple Crown champion is expected to compete in roughly 15-20 winged sprint car events with CB Industries this season.

JOKER FUND: With 15 full-time teams on the Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing roster this year, 10 return with a High Roller Club membership card already in hand while another five are competing for the “Joker Fund.” With that, they’re chasing a top-three points finish this season or a top-eight points finish this year and next to obtain access into the High Roller Club.

Following the opening weekend, Kerry Madsen placed the Vermeer Motorsports No. 55 seventh in the standings as the leading contender. Behind him, Sye Lynch and the Mosites Lynch Racing No. 42 (-18 from eighth), Hank Davis and the Michael Dutcher Motorsports No. 17GP (-40), Danny Sams III and the Randerson Racing No. 24D (-50), and Chase Randall and the Chase Randall Racing No. 9R (-54) are next in line.

NHRA MEETS HIGH LIMIT: After joining NASCAR weekend at Las Vegas, High Limit now collides with NHRA this weekend in Phoenix. Fans can enjoy morning and afternoon action (Fri-Sun) with the dragsters at Firebird Motorsports Park in Chandler before the evening fun (Thur-Sat) turns to sprint cars at Central Arizona Raceway in Casa Grande.

On Thursday night, J.R. Todd, Ron Capps, Maddi Gordon, Matt Hagan, and more will all be attending the Cactus Classic opener and interacting with fans. On Wednesday, a crossover between NHRA and High Limit stars will be filmed at the Firebird Motorsports Park.

Current Championship Standings (After 3/64 Races):
Aaron Reutzel - Ridge & Sons Racing #87 (202 pts... -)
Tanner Thorson - Rod Gross Motorsports #88 (200 pts... -2)
Rico Abreu - Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #24 (186 pts... -16)
Giovanni Scelzi - Spire Motorsports #77 (180 pts... -22)
Tyler Courtney - Clauson-Marshall Racing #7BC (165 pts... -37)
Daison Purlsey - Kasey Kahne Racing w/ Mike Curb #9 (163 pts... -39)
Kerry Madsen - Vermeer Motorsports #55 (157 pts... -45)
Justin Peck - Rudeen Racing #26 (153 pts... -49)
Brent Marks - Brent Marks Racing #19 (151 pts... -51)
Tanner Holmes - Buch Motorsports #13 (139 pts... -63)
Sye Lynch - Mosites Lynch Racing #42 (135 pts... -67)
Hank Davis - Michael Dutcher Motorsports #17GP (113 pts... -89)
Brenham Crouch - CJB Motorsports (113 pts... -89)
Danny Sams III - Randerson Racing #24D (103 pts... -99)
Chase Randall - Chase Randall Racing #9R (99 pts... -103)

INTERSTATE BATTERIES A-MAIN WINNERS (3 Drivers):
1 Win – Kyle Larson (Silva Motorsports No. 57)
1 Win – Corey Day (Jason Meyers Racing No. 14)
1 Win – Aaron Reutzel (Ridge & Sons Racing No. 87)

A-MAIN LAPS LED (4 Drivers):
38 Laps - Aaron Reutzel
17 Laps - Giovanni Scelzi
17 Laps - Corey Day
8 Laps - Kyle Larson

CAPITOL CUSTOM TRAILERS QUICKTIME AWARDS (2 Drivers):
2 QuickTimes – Corey Day
1 QuickTime – Rico Abreu

HEAT RACE WINNERS (10 Drivers):
3 Heat Wins - Rico Abreu
1 Heat Wins - Sye Lynch, Austin McCarl, Aaron Reutzel, Kerry Madsen, Tyler Courtney, Danny Sams III, Brent Marks, Ryan Timms, Giovanni Scelzi

FK ROD ENDS DASH APPEARANCES (14 Drivers):
3 Dashes - Rico Abreu, Corey Day, Kyle Larson,
2 Dashes - Kerry Madsen, Aaron Reutzel, Tanner Thorson, Giovanni Scelzi
1 Dash - Brent Marks, Ryan Timms, Tyler Courtney, James McFadden, Danny Sams III, Austin McCarl, Sye Lynch

WINTERS PERFORMANCE B-MAIN WINS (3 Drivers):
1 B-Main Win – Tyler Courtney, Joel Myers Jr, J.J. Hickle

ROD END SUPPLY HARD CHARGER AWARDS (3 Drivers):
1 Hard Charger – Kyle Larson, Tanner Thorson, Justin Peck

JAKE’S GOLF CARTS FASTEST LAP AWARDS (2 Drivers):
2 Fastest Laps - Aaron Reutzel
1 Fastest Lap – Giovanni Scelzi

PODIUM FINISHES (7 Drivers):
2 Podiums - Corey Day, Aaron Reutzel
1 Podium - Kyle Larson, Giovanni Scelzi, James McFadden, Tanner Thorson, Rico Abreu

TOP-FIVE FINISHES (13 Drivers):
3 Top-Fives - Tanner Thorson
2 Top-Fives - Corey Day, Aaron Reutzel, James McFadden, Tyler Courtney
1 Top-Five - Kyle Larson, Corey Day, Giovanni Scelzi, Brent Marks, Rico Abreu

TOP-10 FINISHES (14 Drivers):
3 Top-10s - Aaron Reutzel, Tanner Thorson, Rico Abreu, James McFadden, Kyle Larson, Giovanni Scelzi,
2 Top-10s - Corey Day, Tyler Courtney, Kerry Madsen, Daison Pursley, Brent Marks
1 Top-10 - Ryan Timms, Austin McCarl, Justin Peck,

2026 Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing Schedule:
Race / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner or Event

Thursday, March 12 / Las Vegas Motor Speedway / Las Vegas, NV / Kyle Larson
Friday, March 13 / Las Vegas Motor Speedway / Las Vegas, NV / Corey Day
Saturday, March 14 / Las Vegas Motor Speedway / Las Vegas, NV / Aaron Reutzel
Thursday, March 19 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Cactus Classic
Friday, March 20 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Cactus Classic
Saturday, March 21 / Central Arizona Raceway / Casa Grande, AZ / Cactus Classic
Tuesday, March 24 / Vado Speedway Park / Vado, NM / Roto-Rooter Midweek Series (FS1)
Friday, March 27 / Route 66 Motor Speedway / Amarillo, TX
Saturday, March 28 / Dodge City Raceway Park / Dodge City, KS
Friday, April 17 / Lakeside Speedway / Kansas City, KS / Hasty Bake Kansas City Clash
Saturday, April 18 / Lucas Oil Speedway / Wheatland, MO / Diamond Classic
Tuesday, April 21 / Eagle Raceway / Eagle Raceway / Roto-Rooter Midweek Series (FS1)
Tuesday, April 28 / Arrowhead Speedway / Colcord, OK / Roto-Rooter Midweek Series
Thursday, April 30 / Texas Motor Speedway / Fort Worth, TX / Stockyard Stampede
Saturday, May 2 / Texas Motor Speedway / Fort Worth, TX / Stockyard Stampede
Friday, May 8 / Kokomo Speedway / Kokomo, IN / Driven2SaveLives Bryan Clauson Hero Classic
Saturday, May 9 / Kokomo Speedway / Kokomo, IN / Driven2SaveLives Bryan Clauson Hero Classic
Tuesday, May 19 / Grandview Speedway / Bechtelsville, PA / Roto-Rooter Midweek Series (FS1)
Friday, May 22 / Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA / Bob Weikert Memorial
Saturday, May 23 / Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA / Bob Weikert Memorial
Sunday, May 24 / Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA / Bob Weikert Memorial
Friday, May 29 / Lawrenceburg Speedway / Lawrenceburg, IN / Driven2SaveLives Battle at the ‘Burg
Saturday, May 30 / Butler Motor Speedway / Quincy, MI / Mace Thomas Classic
Monday, June 1 / Davenport Speedway / Davenport, IA / Roto-Rooter Midweek Series
Wednesday, June 3 / Red Cedar Speedway / Menomonie, WI / Roto-Rooter Midweek Series (FS1)
Thursday, June 4 / Gondik Law Speedway / Superior, WI / Roto-Rooter Midweek Series
Friday, June 5 / I-94 emr Speedway / Fergus Falls, MN
Saturday, June 6 / Dacotah Speedway / Mandan, ND
Tuesday, June 9 / Eagle Raceway / Eagle, NE / Eagle Nationals
Thursday, June 11 / Shelby County Speedway / Harlan, IA / Roto-Rooter Midweek Series
Friday, June 26 / Big Sky Speedway / Billings, MT / Rayce Rudeen Foundation Race
Saturday, June 27 / Big Sky Speedway / Billings, MT / Rayce Rudeen Foundation Race
Monday, July 13 / Fremont Speedway / Fremont, OH / Roto-Rooter Midweek Series
Wednesday, July 15 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Double Down Duel$
Thursday, July 16 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Joker’s Jackpot (FS1)
Tuesday, July 21 / Lernerville Speedway / Sarver, PA / Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup XXXV
Thursday, July 23 / Ransomville Speedway / Ransomville, NY / Roto-Rooter Midweek Series
Friday, July 24 / Stateline Speedway / Busti, NY
Saturday, July 25 / Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA
Sunday, July 26 / Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA
Tuesday, July 28 / Bridgeport Motorsports Park / Swedesboro, NJ / Roto-Rooter Midweek Series
Thursday, August 20 / Santa Maria Speedway / Santa Maria, CA / Roto-Rooter Midweek Series
Friday, August 21 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, CA
Saturday, August 22 / Placerville Speedway / Placerville, CA / 49er Gold Rush Classic
Thursday, August 27 / Silver Dollar Speedway / Chico, CA / Gold Cup Race of Champions
Friday, August 28 / Silver Dollar Speedway / Chico, CA / Gold Cup Race of Champions
Saturday, August 29 / Silver Dollar Speedway / Chico, CA / Gold Cup Race of Champions
Monday, August 31 / Douglas County Dirtrack / Roseburg, OR / SugarBee Showdown on the River
Thursday, September 3 / Skagit Speedway / Alger, WA / Skagit Nationals
Friday, September 4 / Skagit Speedway / Alger, WA / Skagit Nationals
Saturday, September 5 / Skagit Speedway / Alger, WA / Skagit Nationals
Thursday, September 10 / Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA / Tuscarora 50
Friday, September 11 / Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA / Tuscarora 50
Saturday, September 12 / Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA / Tuscarora 50
Thursday, September 17 / Lucas Oil Speedway / Wheatland, MO / Hockett/McMillin Memorial
Friday, September 18 / Lucas Oil Speedway / Wheatland, MO / Hockett/McMillin Memorial
Saturday, September 19 / Lucas Oil Speedway / Wheatland, MO / Hockett/McMillin Memorial
Wednesday, September 23 / Kokomo Speedway / Kokomo, IN / Driven2SaveLives Midweek Mayhem (FS1)
Friday, September 25 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / 4-Crown Nationals
Saturday, September 26 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / 4-Crown Nationals
Friday, October 9 / Lakeside Speedway / Kansas City, KS / Heartland of America Showdown
Saturday, October 10 / Lakeside Speedway / Kansas City, KS / Heartland of America Showdown
Friday, October 16 / Texas Motor Speedway / Fort Worth, TX / All-In Championship Weekend
Saturday, October 17 / Texas Motor Speedway / Fort Worth, TX / All-In Championship Weekend

All-Time Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing Wins List (Through 112 Features):
**25 wins - Rico Abreu (St. Helena, CA)
**14 wins - Brad Sweet (Grass Valley, CA)
12 wins - Corey Day (Clovis, CA)
10 wins - Kyle Larson (Elk Grove, CA)
**8 wins - Aaron Reutzel (Clute, TX)
**7 wins - Brent Marks (Myerstown, PA)
**7 wins - Tyler Courtney (Indianapolis, IN
**4 wins - Justin Peck (Monrovia, IN)
**3 wins - James McFadden (Alice Springs, NT, AUS)
3 wins - Anthony Macri (Dillsburg, PA)
2 wins - David Gravel (Watertown, CT)
2 wins - Trey Starks (Puyallup, WA)
2 wins - Buddy Kofoid (Penngrove, CA)
**2 wins - Tanner Thorson (Minden, NV)
**1 win - Giovanni Scelzi (Fresno, CA)
1 win - Jacob Allen (Hanover, PA)
1 win - Danny Dietrich (Gettysburg, PA)
1 win - Travis Arenz (Sheboygan, WI)
1 win - Cole Macedo (Lemoore, CA)
1 win - Carson Macedo (Lemoore, CA)
1 win - Justin Sanders (Aromas, CA)
**1 win - Ryan Timms (Oklahoma City, OK)
**1 win - Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, OK)
**1 win - Danny Sams III (North Port, FL)
** Expected to race this week

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