LARSON RACES FROM 20TH TO THRID AT CYCLELAND SPEEDWAY
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Chico, CA – ParkerStore Outlaw Sprint Kart driver Kyle Larson overcame difficult
beginnings in both divisions in which he competes and came away with two third place
finishes in the main events as Cycleland Speedway held their second point race of the
season.
Larson uncharacteristically struggled in qualifying as he posted 18th quick time of the 33
karts in the 500cc Open division and 10th of 32 entrants in the 500cc Open Intermediates. He was able to rebound from a fourth starting spot in the
third Open heat and race by three faster qualifiers to get the win and earn the third
starting position in the feature race. Larson started outside the front row of the first
Open Intermediate heat. As he entered turn one his ParkerStore/Grandpa George Motors/ QRC
Factory Kart lost power as the keyway for the sprocket hub fell out. That misfortune
placed him 13th and last on the starting grid for the B-Main, where he was able to race to
a second place transfer to the A-Main.
In the Open feature Larson moved from third to second behind pole sitter Daniel Becker at
the start. On lap seven last weeks winner, Tyler McCain, got by Larson just before the
yellow flag appeared. As the pack powered out of turn four to restart McCain caught the
inside berm and executed a wild
gyrating flip that Larson just was able to avoid. After the red Becker continued to
lead with Larson searching the top and the bottom of the racetrack to gain ground. Becker
gradually pulled away as Larson fought to fend off Dillon Silverman, who was sub driving
for an absent Austin Kerns. As Becker drove to the win Larson and Silverman raced side by
side out of turn four. Silverman was able to nip Larson by 14 thousandths of a second at
the line, a difference of about one inch.
Larson started 20th in the Open Intermediate main and raced to 13th as the yellow appeared
at the end of the first lap. As Larson
slowed several karts began to get collected in turn one and he could only back his kart
into the wall to avoid further trouble. He restarted 19th and was back up to 11th on lap
two. On lap six he advanced to ninth, eighth the next lap and seventh by lap nine. Larson
got into the top five on lap 11 and got by both Mackena Bell and Silverman on lap 16.
Brian Southers had led from the start with Colby
Copeland in pursuit and Larson had several lengths to make up on the lead duo. As he
closed in Copeland took the lead from Southers as it became a three way battle for the
lead. As they entered turn one of the last lap Larson slid into second over Southers but
Southers raced back by into turn three as Larson settled for third at the checkered.
At the conclusion of the night, Larson stated, “Wow, what a turnaround from the way
the night started in qualifying. I can’t remember the last time I qualified so badly.
Once the racing got going my ParkerStore kart felt really comfortable. The keyway coming
out in the Open Intermediate heat really messed up a good starting spot in the A-Main but
it sure was fun passing all those cars in the B and A Mains. I think we figured I passed
28 karts total in order to finish third. And to finish third in the Open Division,
I’m really happy with that also. That division is so tough and anytime you finish in
the top five here, you’ve had a good night.”
Race: May 13, 2006
Photos Courtesy of Jack Waterman
www.kylelarsonracing.com
