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.
