After winning two of four races last year, Kyle Larson entered this year’s Tulsa Shootout with an appetite to win. But it’s Daison Pursley, a much younger contender, who had the last laugh. And with that, the High Limit Racing full timer took home the Golden Driller Award.
Pursley held off the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion and won the Winged Outlaw A-Main at the 2026 Tulsa Shootout. After five days of qualifying, six A-Main events were announced, with the winner in every single category receiving the coveted trophy.
“I’ve been coming here for so long and one of those little golden guys so bad,” Pursley said after winning in the Winged Outlaw category. “And I feel like this place has haunted me for so many years coming here. And never really honestly thought I would get one with just how bad I wanted it, to be honest.”
This marks the end of a 15-year Golden Driller drought for Pursley. For Kyle Larson, who owns High Limit Racing and is now a two-time NASCAR champion, next up is the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. It’s the first race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.
However, the first points race of the 2026 season is scheduled for February 16 at the iconic Daytona International Speedway. It’s going to mark the 58th running of the annual Daytona 500, one of NASCAR’s four Crown Jewels.
Fans can watch the 500-mile event live on FOX (2:30 pm ET) or listen to exclusive radio updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Joe Gibbs Racing Driver Christopher Bell Praises Kyle Larson’s “Raw Talent”
Kyle Larson is one of the most sought-after NASCAR drivers today. However, NASCAR is not the only area where he excels. The Elk Grove native happens to be a back-to-back annual High Limit Racing International winner, as well as the 2023 High Limit Sprint Car champion.
Christopher Bell, who also drives full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, lauded Kyle Larson’s versatility. In a recent interview with The Driver’s Project, Bell explained that Larson was the most naturally gifted race car driver of the NextGen era.
“He’s the best driver in the world,” the Joe Gibbs Racing driver said. “Undoubtedly, and I don’t think anybody will argue that he has the most raw talent out of any driver in at least the modern era. It’s just his ability to be in control whenever it’s out of control is unparalleled.”
Kyle Larson finished the 2025 season leading in the points segment. In a total of 36 starts, the #5 driver amassed three wins, 15 top fives, and 22 top-10s. Bell, who drives the No. 20 JGR Toyota Camry, finished fifth on that list with four wins, 13 top fives, and 22 top-10s.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
