Defending High Limit Racing champion Rico Abreu announced his intention to compete in the Gateway Dirt Nationals in 2026.
Abreu announced on Facebook, “I want to officially put my name in for the 2026 Gateway Dirt Nationals. This is not a joke. I’d love to do some beatin and banging with the fender guys at the dome!”
“I’m going to watch this year and take some notes,” he added.
Rico is no stranger to the Gateway Dirt Nationals. He was famously carried into the stadium by Scott Bloomquist during driver introductions back in 2018 when the event had midgets as its support division instead of modifieds. Rico finished seventh in the A-Main on Friday night, but followed that up with a third place podium finish on Saturday night behind eventual winner Christopher Bell and Shane Golobic.
While Abreu will be taking notes for the Gateway Dirt Nationals this year, he’ll also be preparing to defend his title in 2026. Back in September, it was announced that Abreu would be the new driver for Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing (TSR). In a press release Tony Stewart Racing shared that Abreu will pilot the No. 24 winged sprint car full time in the High Limit Racing Series as well as in prominent crown jewel events such as the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway and the Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville Raceway.
Additionally, the team revealed that it will operate under the franchise that Rico Abreu Racing currently holds with High Limit Racing approving the lease of the franchise to TSR.
Stewart said, “Rico has proven to be a tremendous talent behind the wheel, but also a great ambassador for the sport. Rico and I have been good friends for a long time, and I’ve always admired the way he races. He competes with passion, and he is the gold standard for the way he represents his partners and the sport.”
“Rico is the complete package, and we’re genuinely excited to have him join our program,” he added.
As for Abreu, he said, “Driving for Tony Stewart Racing is a dream come true. Tony has built one of the most respected programs in all of racing, and having the chance to represent TSR feels like a huge reward. Tony has been a friend and mentor to me for many years, and to go racing with him in High Limit Racing is a surreal opportunity that I’m excited to begin.”
It won’t just be Abreu joining TSR, he’s also bringing along his crew chief Ricky Warner and two of his mechanics in Zack Middlebrooks and Brady Forbrook. Warner is no stranger to TSR, he was the crew chief for Donny Schatz’s No. 15 TSR team from 2005 to 2018 where they won 264 races, 10 World of Outlaws titles and 10 Knoxville Nationals. He’s won 44 races with Abreu since joining his family-owned team in 2022.
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