Larson Eighth At Placerville Wild Winged Wednesday Civil War Go
Placerville, California. July 22, 2009. With the last opportunity to score needed points
to become eligible for the opening night of festivities at the Gold Cup, Kyle Larson
helped his cause by garnering his fourth top ten finish in four attempts with the
California 360 Civil War Series. Larson was part of a star studded group that invaded
Placerville Speedway for the second edition of Wild Winged Wednesday.
With nationally known drivers
such as Missouris Jesse Hockett, Oklahomas Shane Stewart, and Kansas
Tony Bruce Jr. on the grounds along with the top runners in the Civil War Series, the
competition level was at its highest of the 2009 season. After qualifying was completed,
Larson finished 14th fast of the 37 cars on hand.
A fourth place finish in his heat assured last years runnerup in the Civil War title
chase a place in the feature event, where Larson began the 30 lap race in 12th. As Myles
Bishop led over 2008 champion Sean Becker in the early going, Larsons Vertullo
Racing /Starr Property Management/Eagle/Kistler was up to 10th from the outset.
Larson managed to move into ninth on lap nine as passing was at a premium on the hooked up
track. Becker, who became the leader on lap seven, experienced a deflating tire on lap 18. As he looked for a way to not get run over by the onrushing pack
Larson ended up losing a spot when he had to take evasive action to avoid Becker.
With Becker finally drawing a yellow to head to the pits Hockett restarted the race as the
new leader. Larson inherited eighth on lap 22 when the yellow reappeared for a spun
Bishop. As the laps wound down Larson held onto eighth, while Stewart made a late race
charge to overtake Hockett and lead the last three laps in a very crowd pleasing finish.
Due to his status as a regular on the Golden State Challenge Series Tour, Larson will not
be able to contest any of the next three Civil War Series races. The driver from Elk
Grove, California will now have to sit back and watch to see if his four top finishes will
keep him in the mix after the 10 races prior to the Gold Cup event are contested.
Larson, the winner of last Fridays Civil War race at Watsonville Speedway, currently
sits 16th in Civil War points. With the aid of his eighth place finish, Larson is hoping
to maintain his ranking as one of the top 32 in points invited to participate in the Civil
War event at Chico in September.
Larsons racing efforts are sponsored by Starr Property Management, Inc., Phoenix
ParkerStores and Lubrication Equipment and Supply Co., Stadelhofer Construction,
Wions Body Shop and Powdercoating, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, G & N Construction,
JW Web Design, Safety Solutions-LFT Technologies, Simpson Performance Products, Wyman
Construction, GME-Nields Steerings, LRB Manufacturing, SWEPCO Lubricants, Edwards
Lawn Service, Sierra Tire and Wheel, Mancamp Motorsports, and Mophead Graphix.