Flat Tire and Tommy Tipover Hamper Promising Start To Larson’s USAC Midget Debut Dodge City, Kansas. April 22 and 23, 2011. Looking to start the quest for a run at the United States Auto Club Mopar Midget National Championship on a positive note, Elk Grove, California’s Kyle Larson appeared to be doing just that as he ran second to defending titlist Bryan Clauson in the season opener at Dodge City Raceway Park on Friday night. However, with just a handful of laps left a flat right rear tire ended any hopes for a top finish. Appearing to rebound in the second night of the Duel at Dodge City doubleheader, Larson drove from 14th starting to battle for fourth when contact with a lapped car sent the 18 year old into a spin and resulting lazy tipover. Restarting at the tail of the field Larson drove back to a tenth place finish. Things did get off to a productive start for the Keith Kunz Motorsports team when Larson stopped the clocks fourth quick of the 37 cars assembled on night number one. The heat race saw Larson drive the Bullet Chassis/Toyota Powered mount from sixth to third to secure a place in the 30 lap feature race. Starting from outside row two Larson jumped past polesitter Tanner Swanson on lap two to move into second as outside front starter Darren Hagen led. As Larson looked for a way past Hagen, Clauson moved into third while fast time qualifier Bobby East held fourth. A torrid duel between the foursome developed as they raced nearly nose to tail and side by side in tandem until East moved by Clauson and Larson into second. Following a caution period a third of the way through Hagen was overwhelmed by the trio behind as he fell to fourth, while East became the new leader over Larson and Clauson. Two laps later Clauson went by both Larson and East to quickly assume a lead he would never relinquish. For the next eight laps Larson looked for a way around East until he made a high side pass in turn one. Once by, Larson pulled away and looked for a solid runnerup finish. However, with six laps to go Larson’s right rear tire went down and he limped to a stop in turn one. With his crew attempting to replace the tire USAC officials restarted the race and Larson was scored 19th. The next night Larson was only able to muster 14th quick time of the 35 entrants but repeated with a third place finish in his heat to transfer to the 40 lap feature event. Looking to manage his tire wear better on this night Larson began the race conservatively, as Gary Taylor led the early going. When the yellow flag appeared on lap 6 Larson sat 11th in the order. Underway again Larson gradually began to show his hand as he got by T. Swanson on the restart and then went by Jerry Coons, Jr. three laps later. For eight laps he chased Levi Roberts until the pass was made to take over eighth place. As the race continued non stop Larson closed on Brad Kuhn and got by with about 15 laps remaining. Reeling in the rest of the pack Larson picked off Hagen and soon after got by Taylor As he set out for fourth running Kody Swanson, Larson encountered the lapped car of Chris DeShon on lap 34. Misjudging where DeShon was headed into turn three Larson tapped his back bumper and began a fight to gather his own mount and continue on. However, Taylor had nowhere to go to avoid contact and sent Larson around, and finally over onto his side. As the red flag appeared Larson was righted and headed pitward to assess damages. After a quick check Larson rejoined the back of the field, 17th in line. Over the last seven laps Larson was hard on the gas and salvaged a 10th place finish as Clauson garnered a sweep of the weekend events.     Larson’s racing efforts are sponsored by Toyota Racing Development, Bullet Chassis, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Simpson Race Products and JW Web Design. For more information and news on 18 year old Kyle Larson visit his website at www.kylelarsonracing.com. Race: April 22 & 23, 2011 Photos Courtesy of MAJ1K Motorsports