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Larson Speeds To Friday Night Win At Silver Dollar Speedway
Fortunes Not So Bright In Saturday Bradway Jr. Memorial
Chico, CA. May 8th and 9th, 2009. On a night of firsts, Kyle Larson did not let the benefit of the first starting position slip away, as he won his first career 410 sprint car race in his first appearance at Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway in 2009. In the process Larson became the youngest winner ever at the ¼ mile facility in both the 410 and 360 sprint car divisions. The $2,500.00 win on Fauver Race Ready Rentals Night came aboard the potent Dave and Debbie Vertullo Starr Property Management mount in round number four of the Feather Falls Casino sprint car series.
After qualifying 10th quick of the 33 cars assembled and transferring to the A-main with a runnerup finish in his heat, the pill draw placed Larson on the pole for the 25 lap event. With good friend Colby Copeland, 17, lined up on the outside, the combined age of the front row was less than several drivers in the field.
The pair, who crew for one another when not racing, raced hard into turn one at the drop of the green flag. Despite Larson taking as much room as he could on the bottom of turn two, Copeland powered into the lead on the first lap. Copeland hooked a rut in turn one on the third lap and, while he fought to regain control, Larson drove underneath to take the lead. However, before the complete lap could be scored, the red flag appeared for turn four flip victim Kyle Harris, handing the lead back to Copeland.
Underway again, Copeland and Larson distanced themselves from the star studded pack. After a red flag for Robbie Whitchurch on lap four, the lead duo pulled away again on the ultra fast track that was seeing near track record speeds.
Copeland closed quickly on the tail end of the field and Larson narrowed the gap between the two. As Copeland attempted to lap Zac Zimmerly on the low side of turn one on lap ten Larson went to the outside of Copeland to take over the lead exiting turn two.
A yellow flag for a spun Tyler Wolf halted the intensity level on lap 11. When racing resumed Larson sped away as Copeland tried to keep pace. The final stoppage of the race occurred three laps later as Jason York flipped down the backstretch after contact with defending Knoxville 360 National Champion Wayne Johnson.
Larson resumed his torrid pace as Copeland lost second to Mark Hall just after the restart. Copeland, who had been dealing with race long brake problems, allowed his car to drift high in turn three and Jonathan Allard also slid by.
While Larson tiptoed through lapped cars Hall and Allard inched closer as the laps clicked off. At the checkered flag Larson still had a comfortable ½ second margin over Hall, who held on for second over Allard, Copeland and Mason Moore.
For Larson, the next night’s Golden State Challenge Series event at the same track - the 19th Annual Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial, saw the old adage of “going from hero to zero” rear its ugly head. While an impressive qualifying effort of seventh quick (11.231- which was under the existing track record) started the evening, things quickly went downhill for the youngster.
In heat number three Larson started fifth and settled in behind fourth running Brad Sweet, who was guiding the Rod Tiner entry emblazoned with the unforgettable Tri-C colors of Bradway Jr.’s former ride. Over the course of the 10 lap race Larson tried several times to use the high side around Sweet, but to no avail. Entering the last set of turns Larson made one final attempt to make something happen.
However, hitting a rut in turn three sent the car backwards over the edge of turn four, where Larson stood on the throttle to soften the impact. While the maneuver worked to minimize rear end damage, the resulting wheelie laid the car over on its side, terminating the life of the wing.
After replacing the wing and rear bumper Larson started third in the B-main. Entering turn one Larson hit a rut and knocked the right front tire off the bead. As the yellow flag was displayed for Paul Zimmerly, who crashed into the frontstretch wall, Larson ducked into the pits for new rubber.
Larson restarted at the back of the pack in the 12 lap race and promptly got his left front tire over the right rear of Ken Fredenberg, who was slowing for a car spinning in front of him in turn one. As Larson’s front end came back to earth it slammed into the sticky cushion of the racetrack.
The result was the loss of steering and suspension travel with many pounds of clay stuffed into the front axle area of the car. With it impossible to remove the clay in the time allotted Larson returned to the race. With little steering capabilities he spun in turn one of the restart to bring out another yellow.
With the clay packed so tightly that most could not be removed Larson returned once again. The condition improved slightly as the race proceeded, however Larson was not a threat to capture a transfer spot into the high dollar feature race. A memorable weekend ended with Larson on the trailer after being scored 12th. Larson was able to witness a thrilling last turn pass by Allard, who surprised race long leader Sweet at the checkered flag.
Next week Larson and the rest of the GSC regulars will return to Tulare’s Thunderbowl Raceway for their second appearance there this season. Last month Larson had his best effort of the campaign so far, setting second fast time, capturing a dominating heat race win from the third row, and finishing third in the A-main.
Larson’s racing efforts are sponsored by Starr Property Management, Inc., Phoenix ParkerStores and Lubrication Equipment and Supply Co., 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 Steering, 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.
Race: May 8 & 9, 2009
Photos Courtesy of Steve Cox
http://gxd-photos.com/
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