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Crash Ends Night Early For Larson At Tulare GSC

Tulare, CA June 27, 2009. Kyle Larson and the Vertullo Racing 83v sprint car returned to race at his favorite track, Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway, as the Golden State Challenge series stopped in for the last time this season. Unfortunately, it seems the pairing of track and driver is turning into an adversary relationship as the 16 year old experienced his second eye-opening crash in turn one in as many visits.

While Larson’s incident last month was significant in that the car was saved from considerable harm when the left rear tire got caught in the top cables of the catch fence, this time the results were much more devastating as the car suffered major damage, with the Elk Grove resident very lucky to only have a couple of bruises to his knees.

After qualifying second quick in both prior visits in 2009, this time Larson was only able to muster 10th fast time of the 23 cars pitted. With a third in his heat, Larson lined the Starr Property Management Eagle in the tenth position of the 30 lap feature race.

As the green flag appeared it was obvious that the Dave Vertullo wrenched mount had hit the right setup as Larson was able to maneuver his car high and low on the now very slick track that had its only moisture at the base of the wall.

As several of the leaders struggled to find traction in the early going, Larson was gaining positions quickly. When Jonathan Allard caused the first yellow flag to be displayed on lap three Larson had passed three cars to move into seventh.

Once underway again Larson made an incredible move into turn one to split Brandon Carey, who was using the bottom of the race track, and Andy Gregg who went to the top. Once clear, Larson closed fast on fourth running Tyler Walker down the frontstretch while completing lap four.

With Walker in the middle of the straight Larson surged to the outside to get a run on the cushion of turn one. However, just before the entrance of turn one the pair made contact, with Larson sent into a harrowing sequence of flips that ended with the car slamming down tubes first into the first catch fence pole in turn one, finally coming to rest on its side with the engine screaming until Larson could hit the kill switch.

The young driver was alert when paramedics rushed to the scene, while his only complaint was minor pain in his right knee. However, the car was virtually destroyed with the engine suffering considerable damage from the impact.

After seeing the crash on video, commented Larson, “I feel pretty lucky to have not been knocked out. I’m just glad I was able to hit the kill switch to save the engine from further damage.”

“With the track as slick as it was,” Larson continued, “I thought our setup was way off on the first lap. But when I could tell others ahead of me were really struggling to get traction, I realized the setup Dave gave me was just going to get better. I knew my car could go anywhere and I would be able to get to the front.”