Larson Makes Three Features Over Holiday Weekend
Moves Into 11th In Civil War Points
Marysville and Chico, CA ~ May 25, 26, 27. Fourteen year old Sprint Car Driver Kyle Larson
enjoyed a full slate of racing over the Memorial Day weekend as he competed in three top
tier events that included two 360 Civil War Series races and a special fair race
before a packed house at the annual Silver Dollar Fair in Chico. Each event saw the
resident of Elk Grove, California continue his progression in the sprint car ranks with
starts in every main event, which saw high car counts at each.
The weekend started with a rained out Civil War Series makeup race at Marysville Raceway
Park on Friday night. Larson qualified 20th of the 36 cars on hand and transferred
to the A-Main with a second place finish from outside the front row in his heat race.
Larson started his Dave and Debbie Vertullo ParkerStore/CRV
Racing Products/Eagle/Kistler mount in 18th, but found his car extremely tight in the
early going. After making adjustments on a mid race red flag Larson restarted at the tail
of the field. Front running former World of Outlaw driver and Civil War point leader
Brandon Wimmer lapped Larson, but with his car coming to life, Larson camped on
Wimmer’s tail over the remainder of the race as the duo raced through heavy lapped
traffic. While Wimmer went on to win Larson was scored 18th in the final rundown,
although he passed several lead lap cars in the 30 lapper.
On Saturday Larson ventured to Silver Dollar Speedway for a two night stay at that track.
The first night was a non point race with the 360 cars again the headline division as 35
cars parked in the pits. The format saw no qualifying with a draw for heat race positions,
with passing points earned. Larson started fifth in his heat and finished third, earning
the eight most points when the heat race finishes were tallied. The 25 lap feature race
saw Larson come home with a ninth place finish as Hawaiian driver Dean Freitas scored an
upset win.
Sunday night was round four of the 15 race Civil War Series and Larson
qualified 23rd of the 47 cars assembled. Larson took a pole start in heat number two and
captured his first Civil War heat win with a 10 car length advantage at the checkered. He
started 19th of the 22 cars in the feature event and drove to a 12th place finish as the
busy weekend came to a conclusion. Larson’s showing propelled the young driver into
11th in the Civil War point series and solidified his hold as the leading rookie in the
standings.
At the end of the long holiday weekend Larson said, “This was really fun. I wish I
could race every day of the week. The best part was that we could roll the car in the
trailer and enjoy ourselves between races. At Marysville the track conditions surprised us
in the main and the car was way too tight to start with. After loosening it up under the
red it really took off. Brandon went by me in a few laps and that’s when I really got
going. Following someone like him really helped me learn some things. At one point I
really felt like I could go around the outside of him, but he’s been taking me under
his wing and helping me. I was already down a lap, so I thought maybe messing him up
wouldn’t be such a smart thing to do. But that was the most fun I’ve had yet in
a sprint car. At Silver Dollar, if it weren’t for a 360 spin on Saturday I might have
had a top five, and on Sunday if I didn’t make a slight bobble coming out of turn
four to the checkered flag I would have had a top ten. But it felt good making all three
main events and getting all those laps, because that’s what I really need right now.
I really have to thank my crew Dave, CJ, Bark, Andy, Deputy Dave and my dad, as they did
all the work for me while I got to have all the fun. I also want to thank David Robinson
Jr., a former two time Civil War Champion, for coaching me Friday and Sunday. My
confidence goes up every time he’s around.”
Larson and the Vertullo racing team will visit Marysville Raceway Park again this coming
weekend as the track honors the memory of long time track promoter Mel Hall.
Larson’s racing efforts are sponsored by ParkerStore, CRV Racing Products, Starr Real
Estate and Property Management, Safety Solutions – LFT Technologies, D & J
Towing, Heritage Drywall, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, RPM Indoor Kart Racing and Conference
Center, Platinum Powdercoating, JW Web Design, MotoWear, Wion’s Body Shop and Sierra
Tire and Wheel.
Race: May 25-26-27, 2007
Photos Courtesy of Steve LaMothe
www.kylelarsonracing.com
