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Busy Week for Kyle Larson At Vermeil Classic and Gold Cup Race of Champions
Calistoga and Chico, CA, August 30 – September 6, 2008. Getting the opportunity to drive three different types of race cars in one week, Kyle Larson had flashes of eye opening competitiveness and mild disappointment as the young driver stepped onto the two biggest stages of the Northern California summer racing season, the USAC Louie Vermeil Classic at Calistoga Speedway and the World of Outlaws Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. While Calistoga ended on a downer as the 16 year old driver could not compete on the second night due to a stubborn car that would not fire, making the B-Main event at the Gold Cup had to be considered as another rung up the ladder in the development of the youthful driver. Sandwiched in between was another patented run from the back of the pack of a 360 Civil War race, when Larson opened the Gold Cup on Wednesday night.
The first event for Larson was the two day show combining the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars and USAC Western States Midgets labeled the Louie Vermeil Classic, in honor of the longtime Calistoga resident who nurtured sprint car racing at the fairgrounds facility for many decades. Larson, from Elk Grove, California, competed in the midget portion of the event and qualified 13th quick of the 18 cars assembled in the infield pit area of the big half mile. No heats races were run for the midgets so Larson started the Cliff Blackwell owned number 27B inside row seven of the 20 lap race. After a couple of laps of feeling out the car Larson moved to the treacherous cushion of the intimidating track and began to pass car at will. By lap nine Larson had advanced to fourth place trailing only two time Western States champion Johnny Rodriquez, Scott Pierovich and fast timer and current point leader Nic Faas. After banging the cushion a few laps later Larson fell to eight but began another charge forward. He made his way back to sixth place however his race ended early when a burned piston led to a premature end to his night. Larson was scored 9th with the exciting win going to Rodriquez.
For the second night of action, the Blackwell Motorsports team brought out their backup car, the number 27D that Larson had raced previously at the 2008 Chili Bowl and in May at Placerville Speedway with the Bay Cities Racing Association. However, the effort was all for naught as the car would not fire after numerous attempts. “The weekend started out on a big high with my effort on Saturday night,” said Larson. “Even though we had the engine problem I still had confidence I would do well in the backup car the second night. It was pretty disappointing to not be able to race Sunday because I was really looking forward to it. I really love the midgets and love racing here. I do want to thank everyone who helped through the night trying to get me out there: people like Heavy D – Darin Smith, Brian Cannon, Greg Peterson, Sean Sheppard, Bobby Bumgarner, and Cliff’s crew of Al and Bill.”
Three nights later, on Wednesday, Larson and the other top 32 in the Hoosier Tires California 360 Sprint Car Civil War Series point standings opened the Gold Cup festivities with the Pacific Sprint Cup Invitational. Round number 12 of the 15 race series saw Larson only qualify 22nd fast. A win in his heat race propelled him into the A-main event, where he lined the Vertullo Racing/CRV Racing Products/Eagle Kistler 19th in the 22 car field. As Kyle Hirst led all 30 laps Larson put on another now too common passing display in a Civil War event, as he charged forward to sixth at the finish. “For some reason,” began Larson, “I just don’t seem to qualify well at Civil War races. I was looking to sweep the three Civil War races at Silver Dollar this year, and a good qualifying time sure would have helped. But I love passing cars and Dave Vertullo gave me a great car tonight to accomplish that.” Heading into the event Larson trailed point leader Sean Becker by 23 points, and with Becker’s seventh place finish Larson closed to within 19 points.
Larson brought out the Dave and Debbie Vertullo 410 mount the next night to compete in the opener of the Gold Cup Race of Champions. With the field split over the first two nights Larson qualified 22nd fast of the 52 cars pitted and garnered a fourth place finish in his heat after lining up sixth, next to Steve Kinser. Larson gridded 20th in the feature race and, after an off track excursion while trying to miss a developing multi car accident in turn four of the opening lap placed him at the rear of the field, the youngster raced back to claim 15th of the 24 starters.
When the Friday night half of the field completed their preliminary events Larson found himself 31st in overall points of the 106 total competitors. The effort placed him 11th in Saturday night’s B-main field. With the early departure from the racetrack of a disgruntled Terry McCarl, Larson began the race one row ahead in ninth. Once again, on the opening lap, three cars came together in turn four with Larson having to dive into the infield to avoid disaster. The result saw Larson trailing the pack at the end of lap one. Although he fought back to finish 13th in the 20 lapper, Larson’s second Gold Cup was over. “The start to the A-main Thursday and the B-Main tonight really hurt my chances for good finishes,” said Larson. “But those are the breaks you get sometimes. I look at this as another learning experience and things will get better. Last year I made the C-main and this year I made the B, so I hope I’m on track for an A-main start next year.”
While Larson’s racing efforts are sponsored by CRV Racing Products, Starr Real Estate and Property Management, Global ParkerStore, Safety Solutions – LFT Technologies, D & J Towing, RPM Indoor Kart Racing and Conference Center, A.R.T. Ent. Speed Equipment, Wion’s Body Shop and Powdercoating, JW Web Design, Mophead Graphix, SWEPCO Lubricants, Sierra Tire and Wheel, and Wyman Construction, we would like to give a special thanks to Mancamp Motorsports and Edward’s Lawn Service for helping the Vertullo Racing Team during the Gold Cup week.
Check out www.kylelarsonracing.com for video clips, photos, current news and information.
Race Date: August 30 – September 6, 2008
Photos Courtesy of Steve’s Racing Photos
www.stevesracingphotos.com
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