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Larson’s Flat Tire Leads to 13th Place Finish In Placerville Golden State Challenge Opener

Placerville, CA. March 28, 2009. Action packed Placerville Speedway is known to produce a little mayhem now and then, and, as the Golden State Challenge Series opened their season Saturday night at the foothill facility, several top drivers experienced significant race ending damage to their cars. While Rookie of the Year contender Kyle Larson was able to take the checkered flag, he was not unscathed on his way to a 13th place finish, as a flat front tire brought issues that caused the 16 year old driver to spend several laps in the work area.

As the first driver out to qualify on a still improving racetrack, Larson turned 13th quick time of the 25 cars pitted, while Evan Suggs tied the track’s all time track record of 9.913. Larson started outside of Tim Kaeding in the first heat and, after a quick excursion over the edge of turn one and two that allowed Brandon Carey past, finished third to get a pass into the night’s dash. Of the eight drivers eligible for the six lap race Larson unfortunately drew the eight pill for the starting lineup. When the checkered flag fell Larson had improved his position one spot to seventh.

The finishing order secured the same placement of the dash entrants in the first four rows of the 30 lap feature lineup. At the drop of the green flag Larson settled the Dave and Debbie Vertullo Starr Property Management/Eagle/Kistler into seventh as dash winner Jonathan Allard assumed the lead from fellow front row starter Andy Forsberg.

As little passing was happening on the lightning fast bullring Bud Kaeding, running eighth, was drawing attention behind Larson with a progressively worsening oil leak from his engine. Finally, on lap 13 Kaeding’s mount erupted in flames to bring out the race’s first yellow.

When the race resumed Larson was the next to experience a malfunction, as his right front tire deflated going into turn one. With the tire down the front end of the car dug hard into the tall cushion that had built up, resulting in a spin above the top of turn two.

While the changing of the right front tire and wheel was an easy fix, the heavy clay that had become wedged between the frame rails from the radiator to the front bumper proved to be a time consuming obstacle to getting Larson back on the track for the restart. Once the massive amount of clay had been removed the tie rod was also found to be bent.

As the continued effort of Larson’s team was going on in the work area, Forsberg made a pass of Allard to take the lead on lap 17. However, it was short lived as contact with another car caused Forsberg to half spin, which collected Allard, who was unable to avoid Forsberg. Prior to the waving of yellow flag third place Brent Kaeding vaulted into the lead. Forsberg and Allard made quick stops in the work area and rejoined the field with Larson, who still had the bent tie rod. After the green was displayed Forsberg’s night ended with a big flip after contact with another car in turn one. Officials called for an open red flag period and Larson’s crew replaced the damaged tie rod.

When the race resumed another red flag quickly showed as Greg DeCaires and Dan Simpson got together on the back stretch, with Colby Weisz paying the highest price with a damaging flip when Simpson veered into his path. Under the stoppage Larson ducked into the pits one more time to make a final setup adjustment before tackling the last 12 laps.

With his car back in race ready form Larson passed several cars to move in behind 11th place Myles Bishop at the checkered flag. While Brent Kaeding held on for the win Larson was scored 13th in the final rundown, an improvement of nine places from when he initially left the race.

“This is one of those times that not giving up could have a big impact later in the season,” said Larson. “I wish we could have made it out in time to stay on the lead lap, but the clay packed in there was just too much. The car was a handful until we were able to change the tie rod, but with that fixed and the other adjustments the car was real fast. We’ll just take it, be fortunate it didn’t end like it did for some of the others, and go on to my first ever race at Antioch Speedway. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Larson’s racing efforts are sponsored by Starr Property Management, Inc., Phoenix ParkerStores and Lubrication Equipment and Supply, G & N Construction, Simpson Performance Products, Wion’s Body Shop and Powdercoating, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, JW Web Design, Safety Solutions-LFT Technologies, Wyman Construction, GME-Nields Steerings, LRB Manufacturing, SWEPCO Lubricants, Edward’s Lawn Service, Sierra Tire and Wheel, Mancamp Motorsports, and Mophead Graphix.

Check out www.kylelarsonracing.com for main event video clips, current news and information.