This message was edited on
August 07, 2007 at
09:44:49 AM by 83vmotorsports
ParkerStore Driver Kyle Larson Becomes Youngest California Sprint Car Winner
Wins Civil War Feature in 10th Attempt
Placerville, California – August 4, 2007. Just four days into his 15th birthday, Kyle Larson made California sprint car racing history as the state’s youngest winner ever in the sport. The victory in the California 360 Sprint Car Civil War race at Placerville Speedway was just Larson’s 10th start in the ultra competitive series that has seen nine different winners so far. The hard earned win carried added significance as the youngster had to pass his best friend and long time outlaw sprint kart racing foe, 16 year old fellow rookie Mason Moore, who also scored his best ever finish.
Larson started the main event in fifth place in the Dave and Debbie Vertullo owned ParkerStore/CRV Racing Products/Eagle Kistler mount, while Moore grabbed the lead from outside the front row over pole starter Marc Mackay. As Moore opened a several length lead Larson applied constant pressure to Mackay over the first third of the race. After a lap nine restart Larson drove under Mackay to move into second behind Moore, while veteran driver Colby Weisz took third from Mackay a lap later. Once the race got past the lap 20 mark, things started to heat up as Weisz began to get under Larson, who countered by finding extra speed along Placerville’s treacherous top cushion. As the threesome diced, Larson first fought off Weisz and then, on lap 25, made the winning pass of Moore out of turn four. While Larson utilized his momentum gained from the little used top groove, he began to pull away as Moore fended off Weisz’s attempt to take the runnerup position. As the checkered flag appeared Moore held on for second, about 10 car lengths behind Larson, while Weisz settled for third. As Larson pulled into victory lane, the capacity crowd seemed to realize the significance of what they had witnessed and loudly cheered as the first time winner emerged from his car.
“This is awesome” said Larson, who had traveled to Chico the night before to watch Moore run his 410 sprint car at Silver Dollar Speedway. The pair then spent the night at Moore’s house and rode together to Placerville. “Mason and I have raced together a long time in karts. He was running a good race and I wasn’t sure if I was going to catch him. When I had to go up to stay ahead of Colby the car worked really well up there so I stayed there. This is really great, I want to do the best I can in this sport because my goal is to get to NASCAR. I really have to thank Debbie and Dave Vertullo for taking a chance with me. They had really only heard about me before letting me drive their car. I also want to thank my crew CJ, Bark, AJ, Andy, Deputy Dave, Sean, Seros, and my dad. Larry Shelton has also provided some valuable input to get us out of a mini slump lately and I really appreciate it. I also have to say thanks to David Robinson Jr., a former two time Civil War champion, for being here tonight. Not only is he the person most responsible for me having this opportunity, but also whenever he is at the track I feel more confident because he points little things out to me and reminds me that I can do this.”
Larson will make a return visit to Calistoga Speedway this coming Saturday as the Civil War Series makes its final appearance there this season. The driver, currently ninth in Civil War points, will be looking to improve on his respectable 14th place finish in his maiden voyage in June, when the series last raced at the historic half mile in the Napa Wine Country.
Larson’s racing efforts are sponsored by ParkerStore, CRV Racing Products, Starr Real Estate and Property Management, Safety Solutions – LFT Technologies, D & J Towing, Heritage Drywall, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, RPM Indoor Kart Racing and Conference Center, Platinum Powdercoating, JW Web Design, Wion’s Body Shop, SWEPCO Lubricants and Sierra Tire and Wheel.
Check out www.kylelarsonracing.com for video clip of the last 6 laps and photos in victory lane.
Race: August 4, 2007
Photos Courtesy of Steve LaMothe and Ed Palmer
www.kylelarsonracing.com
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