Grinding Crash Halts ParkerStore Driver Kyle Larson At Silver Dollar

Chico, California August 24, 2007. A week after winning his second 360 sprint car main event, Kyle Larson returned to Silver Dollar Speedway’s Friday night point series to try for his initial win in the 410 division. Such was not the case, through, as Larson experienced the hardest crash of his rookie campaign. Waging a race long battle with Robbie Whitchurch for the fourth and final transfer spot in the B-main event, the 15 year old from Elk Grove, California made a last ditch effort to outrace Whitchurch to the checkered flag using the top side of turn four. Larson nearly completed the pass but could not avoid contact with the front stretch concrete wall. After leaving tire scuff marks before the finish line Larson’s right front impacted the opening for the track pass through gate below the flag stand, resulting in a gyrating twist and tumble. Larson emerged from his car unscathed but the same could not be said for his Dave and Debbie Vertullo ParkerStore/CRV Racing Products/Eagle Kistler mount as it sustained significant damage.

Larson’s night didn’t start well as fuel delivery issues prevented him from making it out onto the racetrack until after his spot in the qualifying order had been bypassed. He did qualify 11th fast of the 32 cars in attendance, however, the penalty for a driver missing their spot in qualifying is that they must start behind the inversion in the heat race and feature event. Larson started seventh in his heat race but just missed the transfer to the feature with his fifth place finish. Larson started sixth in the non-stop 12 lap B-main which was red flagged after the checkered so that the safety crew could attend to the driver.

“This was one of those full moon nights,” said Larson. “Missing my qualifying spot kind of set the tone for a bad night. In the B-main I was giving it everything I had. I tried to make something happen to get that last spot into the A-main but it didn’t quite work. We’ll have to make repairs and come back and try again.”

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: August 24, 2007
Photos Courtesy of Jack Waterman
www.kylelarsonracing.com