Tulare, CA. April 11, 2009. Utilizing an engine recently acquired by his car owners, Dave
and Debbie Vertullo, for the first time, Golden State Challenge Series Rookie of the Year
contender Kyle Larson showed that he might aspire to make a statement for the championship
also with a stellar run in round number three at Tulare’s Thunderbowl Raceway
Saturday night. Top performances every time he hit the high speed 1/3 mile race track were
highlighted by the 16 year old driver’s first podium finish with the GSC.
Qualifying for the 19 cars pitted saw
Larson time in second quick behind 2007 GSC Rookie of the Year Evan Suggs. After a couple
of cars scratched, Larson found himself starting fifth in the five car second heat.
Contact between leader Tommy Tarlton and Jonathan Allard on the first lap led to Allard
stopping on lap two with a flat left front tire.
After Allard ducked into the pits for a replacement Larson restarted third. He quickly
disposed of second place Brandon Carey and set out for Tarlton. Larson set Tarlton up
perfectly coming out of turn two on lap 6 and made an inside pass before the pair entered
turn three. Larson quickly extended his lead to a straightaway advantage by lap ten,
when the officials checkered the race after Andy Gregg flipped in turn one.
Due to the low car count all cars transferred from the heats to the main event. Therefore,
the top eight qualifiers all made the dash that would set the front four rows. Larson drew
the number six pill and started there. Tim Kaeding drew the pole and proceeded to lead all
6 laps, taking the win over second starting Jason Statler, third starter Gregg, and
Larson.
At the outset of the 30 lap feature
T. Kaeding led Statler and Gregg, while Larson fought off a couple of advances by sixth
starting Brent Kaeding. As he pulled away from B. Kaeding Larson slowly closed on Gregg.
When Gregg had trouble negotiating a lapped car on the back straightaway on lap nine
Larson drove around into third.
On the next lap Ken Fredenburg spun in turn one to bring out the yellow flag. As the race
resumed for a non stop finish Larson and Gregg battle off and on, while T. Kaeding still
led over Statler. On lap 21 Gregg got underneath Larson in turn one, but the driver of the
Starr Property Management/Eagle/Kistler 83v dove to the bottom of turn two to race back
into third for good.
Over the last five laps Larson began to reel in Statler. The last two laps saw Larson
trying the high outside line to get around Statler. Entering turn three of the final lap
Larson looked to have enough momentum to carry around Statler, but the veteran driver
moved out coming to the checkered flag to thwart the young driver’s attempt at the
runnerup finish to T. Kaeding.
“During hot laps, when the engine had an
oil fire, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to race tonight,” said Larson.
“We finally got to run this engine tonight and it was a big help getting down these
straight-aways. I really like this track and we seem to have success whenever we come
here. I have to thank the Vertullo family for giving us the chance to come out and race
with GSC this year and I’m looking forward to next week at Petaluma,” stated
Larson during the track side interview with Gary Thomas.
Larson’s racing efforts are sponsored by Starr Property Management, Inc., Phoenix
ParkerStores and Lubrication Equipment and Supply, G & N Construction, Simpson
Performance Products, Wion’s Body Shop and Powdercoating, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, JW
Web Design, Safety Solutions-LFT Technologies, Wyman Construction, GME-Nields Steerings,
LRB Manufacturing, SWEPCO Lubricants, Edward’s Lawn Service,
Sierra Tire and Wheel, Mancamp Motorsports, and Mophead Graphix.
