Forum: Northern California Sprint Car (go)
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Larson Youngest To Make Golden State Feature 

Drives 360 to Ninth At Chico In Bradway Jr. Memorial

Chico, CA May 11 and 12, 2007 - Former Outlaw Sprint Kart Champion Kyle Larson continued his progression in the Sprint Car ranks with his first appearance in the Golden State Challenge Series as the annual Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial Race was held at Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway Saturday night. The 14 year old driver, in only his seventh sprint car race, was able to qualify for the A-main and raced his 360 powered Dave and Debbie Vertullo owned ParkerStore/CRV Racing Products/Eagle/Kistler from 18^th to ninth in the 40 lapper, battling it out with the best 410 winged drivers on the west coast.

Larson began by qualifying 26^th of the 47 cars in the talent laden field. Although he just missed making the inversion that would have garnered a pole start in the heat race, Larson was able to catch a couple of breaks in the second heat race and gained a second place finish from seventh starting. The surprising effort landed the 85 pounder in the 18^th starting position for the feature race. Larson was able to avoid a couple of mid race tangles and drove a steady, mistake free race, impressing many veteran observers with his ninth place finish.

Larson also raced his 360 at the Friday night Sprint Car point series. He qualified 31^st of the 39 cars assembled and started eighth in the fourth heat, where he finished 7^th. After starting 16^th in the B-main, Larson advanced to a seventh place finish.

After Saturday’s race Larson commented, “I have wanted to race here since I knew what Sprint Cars were. I’m very fortunate and thankful to have John Padjen approve me to race at my age with such a great group like the Golden State Challenge Series. I’ve been honing my skills at Placerville so far and have wanted to come here so much. My car owner, Dave Vertullo, understandably wanted me to get used to a 360 before we do any 410 racing. Although I knew it would be tough to go up against the 410’s with a 360, I didn’t care because I just wanted to race here. Placerville is fun but I knew Silver Dollar, being wider and faster, would probably suit my style better. I loved the track and everything worked out to make it a night I won’t forget. I think Dave is pretty happy with my progress now and the next time we show up here it should be with the 410. I really have to thank my crew, CJ Pelfanio, Barclay (Bark) Oliver, Dave Pine, Andy and AJ Kovacs and my dad for all the work they do so that I can compete. And tonight I want to give thanks to Billy Wallace, who drove for Dave last year, for the setup advice concerning the changing track conditions and for the coaching he gave me. The whole team really wants to give a special thank you to Skipper of the Skipperpartys.net for helping us out with tires this weekend. We are a pretty low buck team and any help like that is really appreciated.”

Larson’s racing efforts are sponsored by ParkerStore, CRV Racing Products, Starr Real Estate and Property Management, Safety Solutions, D & J Towing, Heritage Drywall, ART Speed Equipment, RPM Indoor Kart Racing and Conference Center, Platinum Powdercoating, JW Web Design, MotoWear, Wion’s Body Shop and Sierra Tire and Wheel.

For more information on Kyle check out www.kylelarsonracing.com

14 years old and driving a sprintcar??!! How cool is that...one time i drove a pick-up truck in the safeway parking lot when i was 14.