Larson Takes 15th in Chico Golden State Challenge Finale
Readies
for Civil War return to Placerville
Chico, California – July 27 & 28, 2007 The California Golden State Challenge
Series for 410 sprint cars closed out their point series with a doubleheader at Silver
Dollar Speedway last weekend and ParkerStore driver Kyle Larson was there to take on the
top drivers on the west coast. For Larson, less than week away from his 15th birthday, the
results were not what was expected, as he missed the A-main on Friday and finished 15th on
Saturday.
Experiencing a tight handling condition during qualifying,
Larson missed the heat race inversion on Friday but appeared to overcome that with a fine
run from seventh starting to fourth over the course of the first nine laps. As leader Matt
Shelton took the white flag, reportedly he mistook it for the checkered flag and began to
slow as the trailing cars began to pass. When Shelton realized what was happening he
accelerated into Larson’s path coming out of turn four, slowing the young
charger’s momentum, while fifth running Willie Croft snuck by at the line to nose out
Larson by .009 seconds. The disappointed driver of the Dave and Debbie Vertullo
ParkerStore/CRV Racing Products/Eagle Kistler was relegated to the B-main where he started
13th on a rapidly drying track. A 10th place finish in the shortened 10 lapper ended
Larson’s night early.
On Saturday night Larson qualified 11th quick of the 31 cars at the track and started
fourth in the heat race. A lap one spin by Dan Simpson
collected Larson, who could only rebound to a fifth place finish, one spot out of a
transfer to the A-main. Larson garnered a fourth in the B-main from fourth starting to
seize the 12th starting position in the final GSC feature of 2007. After getting as high
as ninth in the middle stages of the 30 lapper Larson began to try to make the top groove
work in order to improve his position. The efforts proved futile as he fell to 12th. After
spins on lap 25 and 28 Larson was eliminated from the race and scored 15th at the finish.
Tim Kaeding was victorious both nights while his father, Brent, earned his 13th Golden
State Challenge Series title after runnerup finishes in each race.
After a one month hiatus Larson and team will return to Placerville Speedway this Saturday
for round number ten of the 15 race California 360 Sprint Car Civil War Series. Larson,
who is 10th in series points, looks to get back on track at the foothill facility where he
has had several top runs this season.
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, Wion’s Body Shop, SWEPCO Lubricants
and Sierra Tire and Wheel.
Race: July 27 and 28, 2007
Photos Courtesy of Steve LaMothe
qualifying,
Larson missed the heat race inversion on Friday but appeared to overcome that with a fine
run from seventh starting to fourth over the course of the first nine laps. As leader Matt
Shelton took the white flag, reportedly he mistook it for the checkered flag and began to
slow as the trailing cars began to pass. When Shelton realized what was happening he
accelerated into Larson’s path coming out of turn four, slowing the young
charger’s momentum, while fifth running Willie Croft snuck by at the line to nose out
Larson by .009 seconds. The disappointed driver of the Dave and Debbie Vertullo
ParkerStore/CRV Racing Products/Eagle Kistler was relegated to the B-main where he started
13th on a rapidly drying track. A 10th place finish in the shortened 10 lapper ended
Larson’s night early.
spin by Dan Simpson
collected Larson, who could only rebound to a fifth place finish, one spot out of a
transfer to the A-main. Larson garnered a fourth in the B-main from fourth starting to
seize the 12th starting position in the final GSC feature of 2007. After getting as high
as ninth in the middle stages of the 30 lapper Larson began to try to make the top groove
work in order to improve his position. The efforts proved futile as he fell to 12th. After
spins on lap 25 and 28 Larson was eliminated from the race and scored 15th at the finish.
Tim Kaeding was victorious both nights while his father, Brent, earned his 13th Golden
State Challenge Series title after runnerup finishes in each race. 