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August 11, 2009 at
01:03:28 AM by 83vmotorsports
Larson 15th To Sixth In Ocean Speedway Golden State Challenge Closer
Watsonville, California. August 8, 2009. As the Golden State Challenge Series 410 sprint cars rolled into Ocean Speedway for the last time in the 2009 racing season Kyle Larson was looking for his third feature event win in a row at the picturesque coastal raceway. With a flag to flag victory in the last appearance of the GSC in May and a dominating performance that saw a new track record and main event win just three weeks ago in a star studded Civil War 360 contest Larson’s hopes were high. However, a late qualifying draw led to the young driver starting much deeper in the pack than anticipated. Despite the setback Larson made the most of the situation and raced to a sixth place finish after starting in the eighth row.
With 26 cars signed in for qualifying an early spot in the order was imperative as the track began to dry rapidly after the first handful of cars came out. As the second car out Jonathan Allard set a new 410 track record of 11.496, but by the time Larson came out as the 19th qualifier times had slowed considerably, with the Elk Grove, California driver posting a 12.750 to place 16th in the final rundown.
Missing the four car invert and needing a top five heat race finish to make the main event, Larson did just that in heat number one. On a racetrack that had become slick nearly everywhere with a slight cushion to lean on Larson lined up 15th in the headliner in the Dave and Debbie Vertullo Starr Property Management/ Eagle/ Kistler.
An incident in turn one on the opening green flag sent two competitors lined up ahead of him to the back of the pack. With the race restarted Larson began the process of moving forward. By lap two Larson cracked the top ten but 16th starting Brent Kaeding dropped him to 11th on lap four. One lap later Larson retook the spot while also passing Evan Suggs for ninth. Andy Gregg became Larson’s next victim on lap seven.
Larson began to stalk Brent Bjork, who was in his own battle with Brad Furr. Bjork got past Furr on lap 11 and Larson moved into seventh when he disposed of Furr on lap 16. A lap later 19th starting Brandon Carey asserted himself into the picture and dropped Larson back to eighth. Larson fought back and was able to retake the position on lap 22.
Larson closed again on Bjork, who was battling Allard for fifth in heavy traffic. Larson finally got by Bjork on lap 27 and tried to overtake Allard over the last three laps using what was left of the cushion. However, it was not to be as Larson settled for sixth, while Bud Kaeding put on a dominating display to win his second GSC feature event of the season.
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 main event video clip, current news and information.
Race: August 8, 2009
Photos Courtesy Shane Muir
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