Texas Two-Step for Pursley, NAPA No. 9 Team
The Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing series showcased a two-day Stockyard Stampede at Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track during NASCAR race week in Fort Worth.
The first leg of the Stockyard Stampede on Thursday, April 30th, brought out 28 competitors. In their first laps on the 3/8‐mile surface, Daison Pursley and the NAPA Auto Parts No. 9 team clocked in at 13.751 (13th) in Hot Laps and 13.203 (15th) in Qualifying.
Pursley started P5, inside the third row of the third Heat Race of the night, and lost the final transfer spot to Justin Peck (No. 26) on the start, transferring Pursley to the P1 position of the B Feature. During the Last Chance Showdown, Pursley kept the lead for the 10-lap battle for positions.
A familiar face, Daniel Hemric, driver of the NAPA No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, was the honorary pace truck driver for Stockyard Stampede. The No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts team started 19th in the 25-lap A-Feature event. Pursley slipped back to 20th on the start and grain-by-grain battled his way up to 15th, where he finished the race. Kyle Larson (No. 57) dominated from the pole to claim the weekend’s first cowboy hat.
On Saturday, May 2nd, the NAPA No. 9 showed up for one more chance to tame the track. Pursley showed stronger speed in practice, posting a 13.564 (3rd) followed by 13.588 (4th) in Qualifying, earning the front row of Heat 1. Pursley battled the defending winner, ultimately losing two spots and falling back to P4 but still making A-Feature action.
Pursley started the finale of the Stockyard Stampede’s 25-lap A-Feature from P10 and was able to battle up to P5 at lap 13, putting the No. 9 in great combat position. A mid‐race caution and subsequent field restart saw the No. 9 suffer overheating and power loss. Pursley was able to saddle up and keep the car on track through the end of the action, and when the dust settled, brought it home in 13th. He banked enough points to move up two positions in the Championship Point standings. Aaron Reutzel (No. 87) controlled the lead and won the final race.
Severe storms postponed last Tuesday’s midweek series race at Arrowhead Speedway; that race will be rescheduled.
The Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing series is headed to Kokomo Speedway, “Indiana’s Baddest Bullring,” next week on Friday and Saturday, May 8-9, for the Driven2SaveLives Bryan Clauson Hero Classic. Catch every lap on Flo Sports.
Start / Finish:
Thursday, April 30: 19 / 15
Saturday, May 2: 10 / 13
Points Standing / Total: 8th / 575 pts. (-198)
Next Race: Friday, May 8, Kokomo Speedway, Kokomo, Indiana
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.