Lakeport CA – ParkerStore Outlaw Sprint Kart driver Kyle Larson closed the winter indoor racing season at the Lake County Fairgrounds as the Hillside Honda six foot perpetual trophy races were held. Larson, the winner of last year’s 125/250cc division trophy, just missed taking home the 250cc hardware as he settled for second to Trevor Cristiani. Larson also raced in the 500cc Open division but was involved in a first lap melee that eliminated him with a severely bent rear axle.

In qualifying Larson drove his Team FBR powered 250cc kart to second fast time behind Chase Johnson in a field of 10 and took quick time honors in his Grandpa George powered mount over 21 other competitors in the 500cc Open division. Larson started third in the four kart–eight lap 250 dash and finished last to give him fourth starting in the main event. He started fourth in the fully inverted 500cc dash and also finished there placing both ParkerStore karts fourth on the respective grids for each feature race.

In the 250 main Larson moved by Johnson into third on lap three as dash winner Cody Kaye led over Cristiani. Kaye was getting looser each lap and as Cristiani was looking for a way by, Larson was waiting to pounce on both if they made the wrong move. Finally, on lap 17 Kaye slid wide enough to allow Cristiani by and Larson followed suit on lap 19. Larson was able to close on Cristiani but was not able to attempt a pass as Cristiani led to the lap 30 checkered.

In the 500cc division Larson was poised to improve by one position over his 250 finish and carry home his first six foot trophy in the division. However, his quest ended on the backstretch of the opening lap in a grinding crash that began with contact behind him that sent third starting Cristiani into his path. Larson rode over the right rear of Cristiani and slammed into the wall before collecting several other karts. Only Larson and sixth starting Alissa Geving were eliminated in the incident. Dash winner and pole starter Pistol Pete Johnson led every lap to take the coveted Hillside Honda trophy. After the races Larson said, “I love to race anywhere but I’m glad the indoor season is over. The last couple of weeks have been pretty hard, as far as damage goes, on my 500 kart. I’m looking forward to getting to the bigger outdoor tracks where there is a little more room to race. As for today, the 250 felt the best it ever has here but the only way I was going to get by Trevor was if he made a mistake. He drove a real smart race today. In the Open kart he got bumped into my line and that was the end for me. It’s disappointing to not get to race because I believe the trophy was going to come down to me or Pete Johnston. But I’m glad Pete got the win if I couldn’t.”

Race:  March 25, 2006
Photos Courtesy of Jack Waterman
www.kylelarsonracing.com