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Larson Wins 25th Annual Cotton Classic
Broken front axle hampers season finale at Ocean Speedway
Watsonville and Hanford, California - October and 16, 2010. In his prior 15 main event wins in his four year career, 18 year old Kyle Larson had been unable to add a marquee event victory to his list of typically California Golden State Challenge and Civil War Series wins. But the 2010 GSC champion changed all that Saturday night at Giant Chevrolet-Kings Speedway as win number 16 was accomplished in the final California winged 410 sprint car race of the year, the $5,000 to win Cotton Classic.
The 25th Annual Classic, first won by Larson’s car owner, 13 time GSC Champion and sprint car Hall of Famer Brent Kaeding, was the reigning King of California’s first win at the central valley 3/8 mile track in only his fourth attempt. The large crowd on hand at the speedway, which is experiencing a welcome renaissance under the direction of promoter Scott Woodhouse, witnessed Larson’s emerging versatility as the youngster won a sprint car feature event at his ninth different race track.
After completing a series of crowd pleasing donuts and a slide for life into victory lane, the jubilant driver of the Stadelhofer Construction/Peppermill Casino/Kaeding Performance mount told the appreciative onlookers, “This is awesome to win the Cotton Classic. To finally beat Tim Kaeding, who seems like he has won everything in California this year, feels like winning the Daytona 500. I have to thank my crew, Clark Riolo, Matt Britt, and Rico Abreu, who was filling in for Nick Wilke who couldn’t make it because he’s sick. I also have to thank Rich Stadelhofer for all of his support. He couldn’t make it tonight but I wish he was here for this one.”
Larson began the night with seventh quick time of the 27 cars assembled. After dealing with a collapsed nose wing in his heat race, Larson’s fourth place finish earned a berth into the dash for the top eight qualifiers. Drawing the outside front row assignment Larson sped away from polesitter Sean Becker and the rest of the field to take a comfortable win to garner the pole for the 40 lap feature race.
When the former outlaw kart stars received the green flag they battled side by side into turn one before Becker powered out of turn two to take the lead. Within a couple of laps fast time qualifier Jonathan Allard was hounding Larson for second. On lap four the two time GSC champ flew past Larson and a lap later shot into the lead as Becker dropped to second.
As Allard quickly gained a huge advantage over his pursuers Larson closed on Becker and took back second on lap eight as the 2005 GSC champion started to fade. Kaeding disposed of Becker soon after and gradually closed on Larson. But as the race continued non-stop Larson began to find a nice rhythm on the very slick surface and he and Kaeding proceeded to reel in the once long gone Allard.
When the first yellow flag appeared on lap 19 it was apparent to all that a fight for the lead was about to develop. Underway again Allard had his hands full as Larson’s car stuck to the bottom of turns one and two like no one else could. On lap 24 Larson used that end of the racetrack to squirt by Allard and take over his first lead. Like Allard many laps before, Larson opened a sizable advantage as he lapped cars at will.
Kaeding battled with Allard for the next few laps and finally slid into second on lap 27. Once in second Kaeding tried everything to close on Larson, but the Elk Grove, California driver held firm at the front. One final yellow flag flew with seven laps to go but Larson was never seriously challenged after the race resumed. He maintained a nice cushion to the checkered flag and finally exorcised the Kaeding demon that many had been subjected to in Northern California in 2010.
Larson also competed in the final point race of the Ocean Speedway 360 Series presented by Taco Bravo in Watsonville on Friday night. Larson qualified sixth quick of the 26 cars pitted at the fog shrouded coastal facility. A second place finish in his heat advanced the 99x machine directly to the 30 lap feature, where Larson started sixth by virtue of the number four inversion pill being drawn.
As the feature got underway Larson scurried into fourth and held the spot when the first yellow flag was displayed on lap two. After the field restarted and the leaders maneuvered through the first couple of turns Larson’s mount slid to a stop at the top of turn two with a broken left front axle. As his crew hurried to replace the axle the race restarted without the runner-up in points in contention.
When the yellow flag unfurled once again two laps later Larson rejoined the fray, albeit two laps down. As Tim Kaeding fought his way by father Brent early in the race and went on to his 15th win of the season Larson recovered from 22nd to finish 18th and maintain second place in the final point standings.
Larson’s racing efforts are sponsored by Stadelhofer Construction, The Peppermill ~ Resort ~ Spa ~ Casino ~ Reno, Kaeding Performance, Safety Solutions, Simpson Race Products, JW Web Design, Abreu Vineyards and All Star Performance.
For more information and news on 18-year-old Kyle Larson log onto www.kylelarsonracing.com.
Race: October 15 & 16, 2010
Photos Courtesy of Paul Trevino
www.paultrevinoracingphotos.com
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