Petaluma, California September 13, 2008. Sitting second in the Hoosier Tire California 360
Sprint Car Civil War Series point standing with three races to determine the champion, and
entering the final stretch trailing Sean Becker by 19 points, Kyle Larson’s prospects
for the top spot hinged on several factors of racing, including the luck of the draw.
However, as Petaluma Speedway held round number 13 of the 15 race series, drawing an early
qualifying position on a quickly improving track led to several top drivers, including
Larson, starting deep in the pack of heat races, the B-main, and the A-main event.
Although Larson qualified 23rd quick of the 33 cars pitted and made the heat race
inversion, drivers such
as fifth ranked Mike Benson (30th fast) and World of Outlaw star Shane Stewart (28th fast)
did not, and found themselves in a precarious position to make the feature race. While
Larson set the fastest single lap time in the heat races with a flag to flag romp from the
pole in heat three, Benson and Stewart could not crack the top four and were relegated to
the B-main. Stewart’s Paul Silva led team elected to load up instead of starting deep
in the semi and Benson’s valiant effort from 14th fell one spot short of a transfer
to the A-main.
On a very fast track that had not widened out much by feature time, Larson began his quest
to stay within reach of
Becker for the series title. With Becker gridded fourth in the 22 car field Larson started
his race in the Dave and Debbie Vertullo CRV Racing Products/Eagle/Kistler from 20th. By
lap four Becker became the front runner as leader Tyler Spath spun in turn four. By that
point Larson had advanced six places to 14th. As Becker continued to lead Larson was mired
in 14th thru lap 12. Looking to make something happen, Larson ventured to the outside and
passed a car per lap to move into 11th on lap 15. For the next seven laps Larson chased
down tenth place Andy Forsberg. After Andy Gregg brought out a lap 22 yellow flag which
moved Larson into
tenth, the high school junior from Elk Grove, California passed the four-time Civil War
champion on lap 23 and set out for eighth place Brandon Davis. After trying to get by
Davis with several inside and outside attempts, Larson finally made an inside pass in turn
three of lap 27 stick to take the position. Over the final three laps Larson closed on
Chad Compton but ran out of time, while Becker enhanced his championship hopes with his
third series win. Larson now trails Becker by 26 tallies as the Civil War troupe heads to
it’s first ever appearance at Watsonville’s Ocean Speedway in the series’
penultimate round of racing.
Larson’s racing efforts are sponsored by CRV Racing Products, Starr Real Estate and
Property Management, Global ParkerStore, Safety Solutions – LFT Technologies, D &
J Towing, RPM Indoor Kart Racing and Conference Center, A.R.T. Ent. Speed Equipment,
Wion’s Body Shop and Powdercoating, JW Web Design, Mophead Graphix, SWEPCO
Lubricants, Sierra Tire and Wheel, and Wyman Construction, Mancamp Motorsports and
Edward’s Lawn Service.
Check out www.kylelarsonracing.com for video clips, current news and information.
Race Date: September 13, 2008
Photos Courtesy of Steve’s Racing Photos
www.stevesracingphotos.com
