Forum: Northern California Sprint Car (go)
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Larson Finishes Third in Johnny Key Classic At Ocean Speedway

Watsonville, CA. August 29, 2009. Looking to become the youngest winner in the history of the Johnny Key Classic, Kyle Larson did just about everything he could to make it happen in the 49th running of the event. If only he had the ability to control the waving of the yellow flag, the 17 year old driver from Elk Grove, California might have just accomplished his goal.

After starting the night off with second fast time and taking the win in one of two dashes for the 14 drivers who had pre-qualified for the prestigious race over the last four races at Ocean Speedway, Larson started the feature outside of fast time qualifier and fellow dash winner Tommy Tarlton. With the B-main cars added to the field behind the pre-qualifiers 24 cars began the 50 lap race that would be divided into two segments of 25 laps each.

As the original green flag waved Larson powered the Dave and Debbie Vertullo Starr Property Management/Stadelhofer Construction/Eagle/Kistler ahead of Tarlton to take the lead. However, this would only be the first of a handful of times that yellow flags would negate Larson assuming the lead over last year’s Key runnerup, Tarlton.

The restart saw Tarlton get an advantage and lead the first scored lap. As the pair headed into lapped traffic Larson was relentless in his pursuit of Tarlton, while laying down the race’s fastest lap times. A yellow flag appeared on lap 12 and the intensity level subsided briefly. When the green flag was displayed again Larson began to assert himself as he dogged Tarlton.

On lap 21 Tarlton nearly spun in turn two as Larson had to brake hard to the inside to avoid hitting him. This allowed Bud Kaeding, the Key’s youngest winner at 17 ½ years of age, to enter the picture as a contender in a three way race up front.

After another yellow on lap 22 Larson passed Tarlton for the lead in turn one of lap 24 only to have Tarlton dive back underneath in turn two. Larson sliced under Tarlton again out of turn four heading to the mandatory halting of the race at lap 25, but fell just short of taking the lead.

Once underway again Larson set out after Tarlton, with Kaeding in tow. After a red flag on lap 28 Larson finally got a run on Tarlton out of turn four and took the lead, but the pass was nullified when another untimely yellow flag appeared.

Like a pesky bug, Larson would not go away when the race resumed, as he took the lead again on lap 30. However, Tarlton re-inherited the point when the yellow reared it’s ugly head another time.

After another caution appeared, Larson made his only miscue of the race when he jumped the cushion in turn two, which allowed Kaeding to move into second on lap 33. Although several yellow and reds over the last 17 laps prevented the race from having any sustained momentum, the action was still intense up front with Tarlton now fending off Kaeding.

Even though Larson was within striking distance, the two veterans swapped the lead with slide jobs on each other, but each time Tarlton would lead at the stripe. Over the last five laps Tarlton took command, while Kaeding and Larson fought behind with no positions changing hands as the three headed to the podium after the waving of the checkered flag.

Interviewed after the race Larson lamented the timing of the yellow flags by saying, “If not for the yellow flags I’m pretty sure I would have won the race. I had the lead at least three times when the yellow came out, but that is racing. My car was really good thru lapped traffic thanks to Dave Vertullo’s setup and I would have loved to have seen a non stop final 25 laps thru lappers. Either way, I’m just proud to get a top finish in such an historic race and maybe we’ll get the win next year.”

Larson will be competing at Calistoga Speedway this Saturday and Sunday in his first attempt at non wing sprint car racing when he joins the regulars of the USAC-CRA Series for the Louie Vermeil Classic.

Kyle did an awsome job at the Johnny Key and I totally agree with the fact that he had a really good chance of winning without all of the yellow flags. I do have to correct one thing, when Bud Kaeding won the Johnny Key, he was 16 and didn't turn 17 until that following Dec. Keep up the good work Kyle, you have alot of talent.

when i saw the statement about kyle potentially becoming the youngest key race winner i felt it was a miss-statement. unintentional of course. since i am such a mild mannered type and hate to be the cause of conflict i refrained from pointing it out! great job by kyle and thanks to his team for their participation. i was pretty sure i was correct in recalling bud was the youngest series champion in san jose at 16 years old, the same year he won the key. so thanks for confirming things joann.

to indy and beyond!!

Sorry about the misinformation. We were just going off what the announcer was relating over the PA system several times during the evening. Understandable to point it out though, Wheelied. You should be proud of Bud, and Tim! Good luck to both of them this weekend.

No prob,.Thanks for the cudos, I am very proud of them both. You should also be very proud of Kyle as he has a ton of talent and from the few times that I have been around him, he is a very nice and respectful young man. I really wish him the best in him career.