Tire Failure Thwarts ParkerStore Driver Larson’s Bid to Win In Debut at
Red Bluff
Red Bluff, CA ~ Returning to racing competition after a hiatus to attend the World of
Outlaws banquet in Las Vegas to honor fellow ParkerStore driver Donny Schatz on his first
championship, and to attend the Trophy Cup sprint car race a week later, Kyle Larson
showed up at Red Bluff’s Pauline Davis Pavilion bull ring race track to race in round
four of the Winter Indoor Series. The reigning 500cc Open Division champion from Cycleland
Speedway was competing in the 500cc Open Intermediate division as new age restrictions at
Red Bluff now prevent his ability to race in the top division.
Sub driving for
an absent Andrew Cumpton Larson qualified eight quick of 27 entries to earn the outside
front row starting spot in the second heat. Larson drove his ParkerStore/Grandpa George
Motor/QRC Factory kart to the win in the eight-lapper and inherited the pole position in
the A-Main event. Larson line up next to Jonny Lentz on the front row and Lentz grabbed
the lead in turn one as the feature began. Larson was never more than a couple of lengths
back and finally took the lead on lap four with a pass coming out of turn four. However, a
half lap later the red flag appeared for a flip involving Brandon Ash, negating
Larson’s pass as the scoring reverted to the previous lap. As the race resumed Lentz
lead over Larson as point leader Dillon Silverman began to make it a three way dog fight
at the front. Larson was still applying heavy pressure on Lentz with two laps to go when
his right rear
tired deflated coming out of turn four. As Larson exited the race a one lap dash to finish
saw Lentz’s engine stumble on the restart causing a major pileup behind him in turn
one. As Lentz came to a stop in turn two fourth running Matthew Davis came out of the
carnage as only three of the remaining 10 cars made it to the finish line. Larson was
scored 11th in the final tally.
After the races Larson commented “It feels good to get back to racing. I hadn’t
driven since October 7th and I thought I might be a little rusty. After qualifying we made
a couple of adjustments on my kart and from then on it felt the best is ever has here. I
set the fastest lap times in the heats and main event so we’re really happy about
that. It was disappointing to have to give the lead back when the red came out in the main
because this is such a hard track to pass on. The tire problem we had that put me out was
a new one for us. The chain guard broke off the engine and lodged itself in the frame
rails and cut the inside of the right rear. With Jonny’s engine quitting a lap later
I sure wish I was still out there to try for the win.”
Race: November 18, 2006
Photos Courtesy of Jack Waterman
www.kylelarsonracing.com
ub driving for
an absent Andrew Cumpton Larson qualified eight quick of 27 entries to earn the outside
front row starting spot in the second heat. Larson drove his ParkerStore/Grandpa George
Motor/QRC Factory kart to the win in the eight-lapper and inherited the pole position in
the A-Main event. Larson line up next to Jonny Lentz on the front row and Lentz grabbed
the lead in turn one as the feature began. Larson was never more than a couple of lengths
back and finally took the lead on lap four with a pass coming out of turn four. However, a
half lap later the red flag appeared for a flip involving Brandon Ash, negating
Larson’s pass as the scoring reverted to the previous lap. As the race resumed Lentz
lead over Larson as point leader Dillon Silverman began to make it a three way dog fight
at the front. Larson was still applying heavy pressure on Lentz with two laps to go when
his right rear
