Larson Finishes Third in Johnny Key Classic At Ocean Speedway
Watsonville, CA. August 29, 2009. Looking to become the youngest winner in the history of
the Johnny Key Classic, Kyle Larson did just about everything he could to make it happen
in the 49th running of the event. If only he had the ability to control the waving
of the yellow flag, the 17 year old driver from Elk Grove, California might have just
accomplished his goal.
After starting the night off with second fast time and taking the win in one of two dashes
for the 14 drivers who had pre-qualified for the prestigious race over the last four races
at Ocean Speedway, Larson started the feature outside of fast time qualifier and fellow
dash winner Tommy Tarlton. With the B-main cars added to the field behind the
pre-qualifiers 24 cars began the 50 lap race that would be divided into two segments of 25
laps each.
As the original green flag waved Larson powered the Dave and Debbie Vertullo Starr
Property Management/Stadelhofer Construction/Eagle/Kistler ahead of Tarlton to take the
lead. However, this would only be the first of a handful of times that yellow flags would
negate Larson assuming the lead over last year’s Key runnerup, Tarlton.
The restart saw Tarlton get an advantage and lead the first scored lap. As the pair headed
into lapped traffic Larson was relentless in his pursuit of Tarlton, while laying down the
race’s fastest lap times. A yellow flag appeared on lap 12 and the intensity level
subsided briefly. When the green flag was displayed again Larson began to assert himself
as he dogged Tarlton.
On lap 21 Tarlton nearly spun in turn two as Larson had to brake hard to the inside to
avoid hitting him. This allowed Bud Kaeding, the Key’s youngest winner at 17 ½ years
of age, to enter the picture as a contender in a three way race up front.
After another yellow on lap 22 Larson passed Tarlton for the lead in turn one of lap 24
only to have Tarlton dive back underneath in turn two. Larson sliced under Tarlton again
out of turn four heading to the mandatory halting of the race at lap 25, but fell just
short of taking the lead.
Once underway again Larson set out after Tarlton, with Kaeding in tow. After a red flag on
lap 28 Larson finally got a run on Tarlton out of turn four and took the lead, but the
pass was nullified when another untimely yellow flag appeared.
Like a pesky bug, Larson would not go away when the race resumed, as he took the lead
again on lap 30. However, Tarlton re-inherited the point when the yellow reared it’s
ugly head another time.
After another caution
appeared, Larson made his only miscue of the race when he jumped the cushion in turn two,
which allowed Kaeding to move into second on lap 33. Although several yellow and reds over
the last 17 laps prevented the race from having any sustained momentum, the action was
still intense up front with Tarlton now fending off Kaeding.
Even though Larson was within striking distance, the two veterans swapped the lead with
slide jobs on each other, but each time Tarlton would lead at the stripe. Over the last
five laps Tarlton took command, while Kaeding and Larson fought behind with no positions
changing hands as the three headed to the podium after the waving of the checkered flag.
Interviewed after the race Larson lamented the
timing of the yellow flags by saying, “If not for the yellow flags I’m pretty
sure I would have won the race. I had the lead at least three times when the yellow came
out, but that is racing. My car was really good thru lapped traffic thanks to Dave
Vertullo’s setup and I would have loved to have seen a non stop final 25 laps thru
lappers. Either way, I’m just proud to get a top finish in such an historic race and
maybe we’ll get the win next year.”
Larson will be competing at Calistoga Speedway this Saturday and Sunday in his first
attempt at non wing sprint car racing when he joins the regulars of the USAC-CRA Series
for the Louie Vermeil Classic.
Larson’s racing efforts are sponsored by Starr Property Management, Inc., Phoenix
ParkerStores and Lubrication Equipment and Supply Co., Stadelhofer Construction,
Wion’s 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, Edward’s
Lawn Service, Sierra Tire and Wheel, Mancamp Motorsports, and Mophead Graphix.
