Pursley, NAPA No. 9 Team Battle at Eagle and Knoxville
The Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing midweek series visited Eagle Raceway, coined “One Badass Racetrack,” in Eagle, Nebraska, on Tuesday, April 21. Thirty-nine cars contested the second midweek race and the 10th event of the season, with the Speedway Motors Spring Jackpot winner taking home $12,000.
Daison Pursley and the NAPA Auto Parts No. 9 team found out early they would have their work cut out for them trying to tame the ⅓-mile dirt track, posting a 12.700 in Hot Laps (29th in practice) and running a 11.747 to finish ninth in Qualifying A.
Pursley started P5, inside the third row, for the first Heat Race of the night. He defended the final transfer spot while searching for grip as the track surface shifted. As the events of the night continued, the added outside retaining wall and higher banking in the track started to play a factor.
Pursley started 17th in the 30-lap feature event and battled mid-pack for 11 laps before slamming into and getting caught up on the retaining wall in turn one. In an exciting duel for positions, Corey Day (No.14) held off myriad cars and chaos to win at Eagle Raceway. Pursley ultimately finished 22nd.
The No. 9 team traveled 214 miles to the “The Sprint Car Capital of the World” to compete with the World of Outlaws at Knoxville Raceway on April 24th and 25th, trying to gain some momentum and keep motivated after the disappointing early-week wreck.
More than 60 entries signed in to compete in Knoxville, Iowa, on Friday. Pursley clocked in 20th (16.101) in Practice A and 22nd (15.361) in Qualifying A, sending him to the front row of the Non-Qualifier. The No. 9 started second and quickly controlled the race, eager to make Heat race competition.
Pursley gained three spots in Heat 1 up to eighth, chipping away at a chance to make the Feature event. The No. 9 lost track position during the Last Chance Showdown, sinking back to P13 and ending the night there.
On Saturday, the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts team picked up some speed during Qualifying B. Pursley clocked in ninth-quick (16.588) after being 14th fastest in Practice B. Pursley started P5 in Heat 3 of the night and slipped out of a Feature transfer position and into the Last Chance Showdown, where he finished P18 after pulling off the racing surface with a broken rear end.
The next Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing event is Tuesday, April 28th, at Arrowhead Speedway in Colcord, Oklahoma. Tune in on the Flo Sports app or Amazon Prime Video.
Start / Finish: 17 / 22
Points Standing / Total: 10th / 485 pts. (-176)
Next Race: Tuesday, April 28, Arrowhead Speedway, Colcord, Oklahoma
How to Watch or Listen: Amazon Prime Video or Floracing.com
NAPA: @NAPARacing
Daison Pursley: @DaisonPursley
Kasey Kahne Racing: @KKRdirt
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Kasey Kahne Racing (KKR), based in Mooresville, NC, was formed in 2005 and employs more than ten people dedicated to sprint car racing. The organization competes full-time in High Limit Racing and is led by team owner and former NASCAR Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne. For the 2026 season, KKR fields the NAPA Auto Parts No. 9, driven full-time by Daison Pursley in High Limit Racing. KKR has 7 World of Outlaws and High Limit Racing Championships (Daryn Pittman in ’13 and Brad Sweet in ’19, ’20, ’21, ’22, ’23 & ’24). Since its inception, KKR has earned 295+ national dirt car victories, solidifying its status as one of the most successful teams in modern sprint car racing.