Larson’s USAC Midget Season Concludes With Fourth Place Finish At Turkey
Night Grand Prix
Irwindale, California. November 24, 2011. The 2011 USAC National Midgets ended their
season at Toyota Speedway, Irwindale, California in the 71st Annual Turkey Night Grand
Prix. Thirty-five midgets competed and Kyle Larson qualified sixth quick at 16.596. At the
drop of the green flag Larson went into tire conservation mode and began to fall
backwards. Within a few laps he had slid to 17th in the running order. However, over the
last half of the 98 lap race Larson reasserted himself and began to work his way back to
the front. As the race moved into its last quarter the #67 Keith Kunz Motorsports Toyota
Powered Bullet became a factor for the win as Larson sliced forward into the top five. At
the finish Larson settled for a fourth place finish as part time teammate Caleb Armstrong
captured his second USAC midget win of the season. For the effort Kyle earned the Don
Basile Memorial “Rookie of the Race.”
Larson also competed in the USAC Western States 360 Sprint Car race. He qualified third
fast of the 26 cars on hand with a time of 16.325. With a six inversion Larson started
fourth in the 40 lap event. At the outset front row starters, and brothers, Kody and
Tanner Swanson spun coming to the green flag, causing a multiple car crash that saw two
cars get upside down. T. Swanson was able to keep his car moving and restarted at the
front. As Swanson jumped out to a lead he would never relinquish, Larson soon encountered
engine maladies and retired before ten laps were complete.
As the incredible 2011 season that Larson enjoyed draws to a close everyone at MAJ1K
Motorsports would like to thank all who made it possible: Keith and Deana Kunz, Pete and
Jennifer Willoughby, Kris Brown, Beau Binder, Gary Reed, Tyler Gibbs, Steve and Joan
Coulter, Rick Long, Todd Garber and Jim, Ron Gorby; Rich and Terri Stadelhofer, Clark
Riolo, Matt “Skippy” Britt, Colby Copeland, Brent Kaeding and the
“Hogs;” Jason, Scott and Wyatt Finley; Gus and Richard Hoffman and their entire
crew; Tony Bruce, Jr., and Wayne Priddy; Jeff Walker; George Snider, Junior Bowman, and
John Iturriria; Glenn Crossno and Bryan Sundby; Jack Waterman; Steve Stroud; and Dave and
Rico Abreu and crew.
Also we would like to thank Larson’s sponsors: Keith Kunz Motorsports, Toyota Racing
Development, Stadelhofer Contstuction, ButlerBuilt Seats, Peppermill Resort and Casino,
IWX Motor Freight, Speedway Engineering, JW Web Design, Finley Farms, Kaeding Performance,
Howard Johnson’s of Lima, Ohio, Simpson Racing Products, Safety Solutions, Oakley and
ParkerStore of Phoenix.
Next month Larson will be heading down under to New Zealand. His first racing excursion
away from American soil will see him compete in four international midget races at the
prestigious Western Springs Speedway in Auckland www.springsspeedway.com.
The Midget World Series will be contested over an 11 day period with events scheduled on
December 26th, 31st, January 2nd, and January 5th. Kyle will then return home just in time
to head to Tulsa, Oklahoma and reunite with Keith Kunz Motorsports for the 26th Annual
Chili Bowl January 10th thru 14th.
Larson’s final USAC point results:
USAC National Driver Championship: 2nd
USAC National Midget Series: 3rd
USAC Silver Crown Series: 3rd
