ParkerStore’s Larson Pads Point Lead With One To Go
Also Wins Open Intermediate Feature
Chico, CA – ParkerStore Outlaw Sprint Kart driver Kyle Larson raced to his second
consecutive third place finish in the 500cc Open Division as Cycleland Speedway held
it’s penultimate event of the 18 race point series. Larson extended his point lead by
an additional two points over Tyler Wolf, to take a 17 point advantage into next
week’s final event. Despite a mechanical gremlin during qualifying in the 500cc Open
Intermediate Division, Larson was able to rebound and capture his division leading fifth
feature event of the season.
Larson began the night by setting fast time in the Open Division over 23 other competitors
on hand. He started sixth in
the six kart eight lap dash and drove to third at the checkered to earn the seventh
position on the grid for the A-Main. As the feature began Larson found himself penned to
the bottom of the racetrack, dropping to ninth by lap three as Wolf moved into third
behind Keith Bloom and Emalee Ramirez. By lap eight Larson had only moved back to his
original starting place, but then began to charge forward on the next lap as he got to
fifth while Wolf moved into second. By lap thirteen Colby Copeland dropped Wolf to third
as Larson closed in fourth. On lap seventeen Larson caught Wolf in turn one and powered by
down the back straightaway. As Bloom lead to the finish over Copeland, Larson held on for
third as Wolf finished one spot behind, providing the ParkerStore/Grandpa George
Motors/QRC Factory Kart driver’s two additional points for the night.
In the Open Intermediates Larson only managed a 13th of 28 karts in the qualifying rundown
due to his spark plug wire vibrating loose from the coil during
the run. He started third in the first heat, but after the front row false started and was
relegated to the last row, Larson drove from the pole to lead all eight laps to garner the
pole for the A-Main. Once the feature got underway Larson set a torrid pace as he began to
lap cars at will by lap seven. When the first yellow appeared on lap 15 Larson had lapped
up to the 11th place kart and had three karts between second place Brian Southers for the
restart. As Larson continued to lead, Southers had disposed of the lappers when another
caution flag came out with two to go to set up a final shootout between the pair. As the
race resumed Larson was able to maintain the advantage as he scored the win by three kart
lengths.
Queried after the races Larson said, “I’m real happy with the third place finish
in the Opens tonight. I needed to keep Wolf in my sights and when I was able to catch and
pass him to gain points, it felt as good as a win. Tyler and I have only been a few points
apart the whole season and those two points could be the difference. I guess we’ll
see next week. In the Open Intermediates the problem with the spark plug wire really hurt
our chances to win the championship. By main event time I had lost 19 points to Mason
Moore and with his seventh place finish in the main I think I gained 16 back. So I think
I’m 38 back with one race to go. The Open Championship is my priority but I gained 42
points on Mason last week. So I won’t give up on this division championship either
until it’s over.”
Race: September 23, 2006
Photos Courtesy of Jack Waterman
www.kylelarsonracing.com
