Watsonville and Placerville, CA. September 24 and 25, 2010. Coming off an impressive sixth
place finish with the World of Outlaws at the Gold Cup Race of Champions at Chico’s
Silver Dollar Speedway two weeks ago Kyle Larson was finally back in the saddle of a
sprint car, this time
competing in two different 360 cars on successive nights. Although the two venues were
different, the results mirrored the Gold Cup as Larson settled for sixth place finishes
after early race misfortunes in each.
On Friday night at the well prepared Ocean Speedway in Watsonville Larson began the event
by setting fast time over a stout field of 37 entries, just off the track record at
11.586. Heat races were conducted on a track that was still lightening fast and Larson
found himself headed to the B-main after an eighth place finish.
The semi-feature saw Larson, second in points of the Taco Bravo series, lined up on the pole with point leader Tommy Tarlton to
his outside. The duo easily pulled away from the rest of the pack at the outset, with
Larson’s Stadelhofer Construction/Peppermill Casino Reno/Kaeding Performance
sponsored mount comfortably ahead at the finish.
With a four inversion pill drawn to set the A-main lineup Larson and Tarlton started fifth
and sixth, behind the front row of Mike Henry and Andy Gregg, with Evan Suggs and Tim
Kaeding poised in row two.
Gregg assumed the lead at the unfurling of the green flag while Kaeding dropped Henry to
third on lap two. Larson also powered by Suggs on lap two and began looking for a way
around Henry as Tarlton sat sixth.
The top six remained static until lap seven, when Kaeding spun in turn three.
Unfortunately for Larson, his attempt to slide his car under the stopped Kaeding was not
successful, and a soft roll onto its side resulted after contact.
When it appeared there was little damage to his car Larson restarted with Kaeding at the
back of the pack with 24 laps to go. Once underway again it was obvious Larson’s
machine was having significant handling issues.
Over the course of the next four laps yellow flags ruled, which enabled Larson to duck
into the pits on three occasions to replace a broken Jacobs Ladder and correct rear
braking issues. When a red flag was displayed on lap 11 so that teams could refuel Larson
sat 15th in line.
It wasn’t until lap 25 that Larson cracked the top 10, but by that time the driver
from Elk Grove, California was up on the wheel as the track conditions began to suit his run the cushion style. On lap 27
Larson blasted by both Andy Forsberg and Steven Tiner to move into eight and two laps
later pulled another double pass on Civil War point leader Sean Becker and Justin Sanders.
With a pass on Henry on lap 23 Tarlton drove a steady race to take the win. Kaeding was
able to fight his way back to second, while Larson’s sixth place finish dropped him
30 points in arrears of Tarlton with a pair of Taco Bravo races to settle the
championship.
On Saturday night Larson made a guest appearance in Rich Rosser’s #23R
as the Civil War Series trekked to Placerville Speedway as the foothill facility hosted
the final night of competition in the13 race tour.
Once again Larson set fast time over a 29 car field, but this time Larson earned a
transfer spot into the feature by placing fourth in the first heat. When the pill draw for
the inversion was complete, the reigning King of California Golden State Challenge Series
champion would start sixth.
Tiner and Kaeding occupied the first row,
while Gregg and Forsberg sat in row two. Larson lined up outside of Henry as the 22 car
field rolled around the track while point leader Becker was adding much drama to the scene
as his mount would not fire.
Finally the green flag appeared sans Becker, who would lose the championship to Forsberg
at that point because he did not make the original start. Kaeding jumped out to the lead
as Larson quickly advanced to fourth before the first lap was complete.
However, entering turn three of lap two
Larson got in a little too hot on the low side and did a half spin. As he recovered six
cars got by and he found himself 10th on an atypically difficult to pass surface.
By lap three he was back to eighth and assumed seventh when Gregg spun to a stop in turn
one of lap 10. After getting the door slammed shut high and low by Greg DeCaires for several laps Larson finally powered
by into sixth on lap 16.
Larson moved up to fifth when second place Forsberg spun to a stop in turn three of lap
23. On the restart Jimmy Trulli scampered past Larson to take over the spot and a lap
later Tiner fell victim to Trulli also. Over the course of the last laps Kaeding romped in
front of the pack while Larson diced with Tiner to no avail, and crossed the line just out
of the top five.
When queried after the race to sum up the pair of races Larson said, “ We were really
fast both night’s but a mistake by Tim at Watsonville and one by me here tonight took
us out of having any chance to win at either place. It’s disappointing, but really it just felt good to be back in a sprint car
after a couple of weeks off. I really want to thank Rich Rosser for letting me drive his
car tonight. It’s a real fast car and Rich is real enjoyable to race with. We’ve
been trying to get together for some time and run. I just wish I could have gotten him a
win.”
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.
