This message was edited on
September 15, 2008 at
11:31:19 PM by 83vmotorsports
Larson 20th to Eighth in Petaluma Civil War
Petaluma, California September 13, 2008. Sitting second in the Hoosier Tire California 360 Sprint Car Civil War Series point standing with three races to determine the champion, and entering the final stretch trailing Sean Becker by 19 points, Kyle Larson’s prospects for the top spot hinged on several factors of racing, including the luck of the draw. However, as Petaluma Speedway held round number 13 of the 15 race series, drawing an early qualifying position on a quickly improving track led to several top drivers, including Larson, starting deep in the pack of heat races, the B-main, and the A-main event.
Although Larson qualified 23rd quick of the 33 cars pitted and made the heat race inversion, drivers such as fifth ranked Mike Benson (30th fast) and World of Outlaw star Shane Stewart (28th fast) did not, and found themselves in a precarious position to make the feature race. While Larson set the fastest single lap time in the heat races with a flag to flag romp from the pole in heat three, Benson and Stewart could not crack the top four and were relegated to the B-main. Stewart’s Paul Silva led team elected to load up instead of starting deep in the semi and Benson’s valiant effort from 14th fell one spot short of a transfer to the A-main.
On a very fast track that had not widened out much by feature time, Larson began his quest to stay within reach of Becker for the series title. With Becker gridded fourth in the 22 car field Larson started his race in the Dave and Debbie Vertullo CRV Racing Products/Eagle/Kistler from 20th. By lap four Becker became the front runner as leader Tyler Spath spun in turn four. By that point Larson had advanced six places to 14th. As Becker continued to lead Larson was mired in 14th thru lap 12. Looking to make something happen, Larson ventured to the outside and passed a car per lap to move into 11th on lap 15. For the next seven laps Larson chased down tenth place Andy Forsberg. After Andy Gregg brought out a lap 22 yellow flag which moved Larson into tenth, the high school junior from Elk Grove, California passed the four-time Civil War champion on lap 23 and set out for eighth place Brandon Davis. After trying to get by Davis with several inside and outside attempts, Larson finally made an inside pass in turn three of lap 27 stick to take the position. Over the final three laps Larson closed on Chad Compton but ran out of time, while Becker enhanced his championship hopes with his third series win. Larson now trails Becker by 26 tallies as the Civil War troupe heads to it’s first ever appearance at Watsonville’s Ocean Speedway in the series’ penultimate round of racing.
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, Mancamp Motorsports and Edward’s Lawn Service.
For video clips of the 1st lap wreck and highlights 20th to 8th check out www.kylelarsonracing.com.
Race Date: September 13, 2008
Photos Courtesy of Steve’s Racing Photos
www.stevesracingphotos.com
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