Larson Tenth to Fifth In Santa Maria Golden State Challenge Finale
Santa Maria, CA ~ July 10, 2010. Now in a tight battle for the Golden State Challenge
Series championship with only a handful of races remaining, Kyle Larson was able to
rebound from a dismal qualifying performance to salvage a solid fifth place finish in an
exciting non-stop feature Saturday night at Santa Maria Speedway. The touring 410 sprint
car group made its second and final stop at the scenic central coast facility and the 17
year old driver from Elk Grove, California continued his recent series of solid runs to
stay in contention for the GSC crown.
With several series regulars absent,
including former GSC point leader Jonathan Allard, Bud Kaeding, and Zach Zimmerly-all
preparing to race in the Midwest, a season low 15 cars signed in for qualifying at the
well prepared 1/3 mile oval. Larson ended up a disappointing 10th quick, which meant he
would miss the inversion in his heat race and also miss out on the dash that would line up
the first three rows of the main event.
After Larson posted a fourth place finish from fifth starting in his heat, he got his time
back and gridded tenth for the 30 lap finale. The first attempt at racing ended in a red
flag period for first year driver Sean McMahan, who flipped spectacularly into the turn
three catch fence on lap number one.
Underway again Larson quickly moved into eighth as dash winner Andy Gregg led Sean Becker
and Brent Bjork. An immediate crowd pleasing battle ensued for sixth
between Brent Kaeding, Evan Suggs, and Larson. The proverbial blanket covered the
threesome for the first five laps on the lightning fast surface, before Larson stepped
forward and took seventh from Suggs on lap six.
Kaeding and Larson pulled away and developed a side by side joust until the Stadelhofer
Construction/Peppermill Casino 99 assumed command with a turn one pass underneath the 13
time GSC champion on lap 11.
As the race continued in lightning quick non-stop fashion
with Gregg and Becker fighting it out at the front, Larson slowly reeled in fifth running
Tommy Tarlton. Fourth running Bjork, who had succumbed to Cory Eliason for third several
laps earlier, began to fall into the clutches of Tarlton and Larson.
First Tarlton got by Bjork on lap 16, and Larson duplicated the maneuver four laps later.
Over the last 10 laps Larson once again began to reel in Tarlton, but it was to no avail
as the youngster crossed the finish line fifth just behind the veteran.
Becker provided the capacity crowd
with an exciting finish as he and Gregg battled and banged their way to the finish on the
last lap. The duo’s last lap fight for the lead saw Gregg sustain enough front end
damage as Becker took control that it allowed Eliason to sneak by for second in the last
corner. A disappointed Gregg settled for third at the checkered flag.
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.
