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Larson Sets NTR And Wins Civil War Feature At Watsonville
Also Goes 11th To Third At Antioch GSC
Watsonville and Antioch, CA. July 17 and 18, 2009. In his third full season of racing sprint cars, 16 year old Kyle Larson had possibly his finest performance yet as he put on a dominating performance at Watsonville’s Ocean Speedway Friday night. In attendance was a stellar field of 39 cars for the season’s first appearance of the California 360 Sprint Car Civil War Series at the coastal facility. Larson started the night off on the excellently prepared surface with a new track record in qualifying which also topped the 410 standard on the recently reconfigured race track, stopping the clock at 11.709.
Missing the transfer to the main event in his heat race did not deter the driver from Elk Grove, California as he fought past fellow front row starter Brad Furr to take a comfortable win in the 12 lap B-main.
The victory in the semi placed Larson seventh on the A-main grid, behind the six fastest cars in the inversion. At the outset of the race, it was apparent the Dave Vertullo wrenched sprint car with Larson aboard was going to be hard to beat. On lap three Larson drove by Tommy Tarlton, just before Evan Suggs spun as Larson was going around the outside of him in turn one on lap four. On lap five he powered around Herman Klein and two laps later dove underneath Civil War defending champion and current point leader Sean Becker heading into turn three.
While Wes Gutierrez led from the outset Larson soon closed in on second place Andy Gregg and began to hound him as the leaders caught lapped traffic. Finally on lap 14 Larson found his way past Gregg out of turn two and then used a lapped car for a pick to pass Gutierrez in turn one to lead the race at the half way point. Once in front Larson put on an exciting passing display thru lapped cars while Becker stayed close after moving into second on lap 19.
With Larson deftly negotiating lapped cars the yellow flag appeared on lap 29 to slow the very intense action on the track. Once underway, again, racing quickly stopped as Kyle Hirst executed a wild flip in turn three to bring out the red flag.
As the field began to roll again it became apparent that Becker had a rear tire going down. With the State mandated 11 o’clock curfew already past the race resumed one more time. With Becker struggling into turn one Larson pulled away as Tarlton and 13th starting Brent Kaeding moved into second and third. Mike Henry spun on the final lap and, being beyond the curfew, the yellow and checkered flags waved simultaneously.
Larson pulled the Vertullo Racing/Eagle/Kistler to a stop on the front stretch and did a wing dance atop the car to the delight of the large crowd. Interviewed, Larson said, “ I think Watsonville is my new favorite track. Two in a row here. After flipping last week at Santa Maria it didn’t look like we would be here. I really have to thank Chad Cypert and Nick Wilkie for helping me put together this car this week. This is the first night this year with the 360 - a new track record and a main event win. This is an awesome night. Now that we are locked in for the Johnny Key race, I’ll try and talk Dave into it. It’s a long tow, but I hope to talk him into it.”
The following evening at the Golden State Challenge series 410 race at Antioch Speedway things didn’t go as smoothly as mechanical issues developed in hot laps. Needing to replace the universal joint, torque tube, and driveline Larson just made it to qualifying. Getting only one lap Larson qualified tenth fast of 17 cars.
He lined up fifth in his heat and was quickly into third. But just as quickly, the young driver was in the infield with a problem in the quick change gears.
So, with almost no track time, Larson started the 30 lap feature from the 11th starting slot. On the very slick surface Larson began to race forward until he found himself in third on lap 19, behind leader Jonathan Allard and runnerup Brent Kaeding.
On lap 23 Allard spun in turn one and tipped the car over when contacted by a lapped car, which moved Kaeding, Larson and Jason Statler into the top three spots. As the green flag was displayed Larson missed the bottom in turn one, allowing Statler to scoot by. Kaeding went on to lead the final seven laps as Statler and Larson joined him on the podium after the checkered flag waved.
“I would have liked to finish second,” Larson stated, “But, after the beginning to our night a top three is good. Once again, Dave gave me a great setup tonight for a pretty difficult track to get a hold of .”
Larson’s racing efforts are sponsored by Starr Property Management, Inc., Phoenix ParkerStores and Lubrication Equipment and Supply Co., Stadelhofer Construction, Wion’s Body Shop and Powdercoating, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, G & N Construction, JW Web Design, Safety Solutions-LFT Technologies, Simpson Performance Products, 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 video clip of the main event at Ocean Speedway, current news and information.
Race: July 17 & 18, 2009
Photos Courtesy of Shane Muir
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