Red Bluff, CA – ParkerStore Outlaw Sprint Kart Driver Kyle Larson appeared headed to
a dominating win in the 250cc division at the second annual Red Bluff Indoor West Coast
Nationals on Sunday March 19th, but with two laps to go, a kart stalled in
turn two completely changed the complexion of the race. Second place Colby Copeland was
able to take a low line underneath the disabled kart while Larson chose to go around the
outside, allowing Copeland to race by and lead at the yellow flag. With the green and
white flag appearing Larson was not able to mount a serious challenge to Copeland and
settled for second at the checkered. Larson also competed in the 500cc Open division main
event immediately following the 250cc feature and the chance to get one victory for the
day was stymied early as the sprocket hub broke on his mount on lap five.
The West’s largest outlaw kart event used a point system similar to the World of
Outlaws’ Gold Cup. Larson’s weekend started Friday night in the 500cc Open
division as he qualified third quick of the 30 karts designated to race the first day.
Larson raced to a second place finish in his heat race to transfer into the night’s preliminary
main event. The top eight qualifiers who transferred to the main started straight up by
time in the eight lap trophy dash that set the first four rows of the main event. Larson
started third in the dash and finished third. The feature was eventful as Larson had fourth starting Steve Gannon
stall in front of him on lap two, sending both to the back of the 18 kart field. On the
restart Gannon attempted to jump the start and rode over Larson’s right rear, nearly
destroying Gannon’s mount. Over the course of the race Larson wasable to bring his
ParkerStore/Grandpa George Motor/QRC Factory Kart back to a ninth place finish. Feature
winner Pistol Pete Johnston was the top point earner, fast time Mason Moore was second and
Larson third after the first day. After the second group of 500cc Open drivers raced on
Saturday Larson found himself seventh overall going into the finals on Sunday.
Saturday saw Larson race his 250cc kart in that
division’s preliminaries. Larson qualified seventh of the 23 karts on hand, then won
the first heat from third starting. He started fifth in the dash and finished behind fast
timer Kenny Allen. The duo started
on the front row of the preliminary main and Larson got the jump with his Team FBR powered
mount. He led every lap to take the win and ended the night with a one point deficit to
Shane Graham, who finished second to Larson in the main event.
For Sundays activities all Larson had on the agenda were the last two races of the day
– the 250cc and 500cc Open mains. Larson’s day began with high hopes but, as
detailed above, the results did not match expectations and ended with disappointment.
Brian Southers went on to win the Open division feature when race long leader Johnston
stalled coming to the white flag. The dejected Johnston discovered a carburetor
malfunction had ended his hopes for the prestigious win. After the races were over
Larson said, “This is one of my most disappointing days as a racer. Both cars were so
fast all weekend. The 250cc race is going to take a while to get over. I had just been
cruising but when I came upon the spun kart. I just made the wrong decision to go to the
outside. When I did I got into the loose stuff and couldn’t recover before Colby got
by. With only one lap left I didn’t have time to get the lead back. In the Open
division I thought I could make up for it with a good run there but the sprocket hub broke
early on and ended my hopes right there. There’s nothing you can do about a part
breaking like that but I sure would have liked to race for the win.”
Race: March 17-19, 2006
Photos Courtesy of Jack Waterman
www.kylelarsonracing.com
