Opportunity Lost With DNF For Larson At Watsonville
Watsonville, California. September 20, 2008. With misfortune befalling Hoosier Tires
California Sprint Car 360 Civil War Series point leader Sean Becker on the first lap of
the main event at Watonsville’s Ocean Speedway, second in points Kyle Larson had a
golden opportunity to close the 26 point gap between the two with another solid
run. However, the 16 year old driver from Elk Grove, California experienced two late race
spins that eliminated him from the race. Even with his departure, Larson finished one
place ahead of Becker, who was two laps down to race winner Tyler Walker at the checkered
flag.
Thirty-nine cars signed in for the return of the Civil War Series to the coastal track
after a several year absence and Larson qualified 15th quick. He started third in the
third heat and finished second to transfer into the feature race. Becker finished fifth in
his heat, requiring the former Golden State Challenge Series and Silver Dollar Speedway
champion to advance through the B-main.
After Becker finished second in the semi the A-main lineup was set with Becker starting
seventh and Larson 11th. In turn four of the first lap cars at the
front of the pack came together, with Becker getting the worst of the damage, while Larson
scrambled away from the melee. Although all cars were able to continue without
stopping, the yellow flag appeared and the lap was scored. Becker lost his nose wing and
had damage to this top wing. He did not duck into the pits until late in the extended
caution period. When he returned he was still minus the nose wing and carried the same
damaged top wing. As Larson restarted his Dave and Debbie Vertullo CRV Racing
Products/Eagle/ Kistler in 14th Becker struggled with obvious handling issues. By lap 10,
when the red flag appeared for a flip by Doug Hunting, Larson had only advanced to 13th
while Becker had been lapped by Walker. During the red flag period Becker returned to the
pits for repairs that included a new top wing.
When the race resumed Larson began to make things happen as he passed a car per lap to
move into tenth by lap 15. For the next 10 laps Larson shadowed
Evan Suggs and finally made the pass with five laps left in the 30 lap headliner. A lap 27
yellow flag for Andy Gregg moved Larson into eighth. Once the race restarted Larson made
an inside pass of Jason Statler into turn one. After the pass was completed Larson made
contact with sixth running Ken Fredenburg when his right front touched the left rear of
Fredenburg’s, causing the youngster to spin. With three laps still left Larson
restarted at the tail of the 17 cars remaining. As he attempted an outside pass of Myles
Bishop in turn three of lap 29, Larson allowed his car to spin for a second time and was
disqualified from the race. When the race ended Larson was scored 15th as the last car to
complete 29 laps while Becker finished 16th two laps down.
With four time Civil War champion Andy Forsberg, who is third in the Civil War Series
points, not appearing, Larson knew going into the main event that at least second in the series
championship was secured. “I knew there was no reason to be conservative,” said
Larson. “When I saw what was going on with Sean I knew I had a good opportunity to
close in. The track was difficult to pass on tonight but I tried hard to get every
position and point I could. It was just unfortunate what happened when I touched
Fredenburg. My mistake there probably cost me a shot at the championship. Instead of being
down by ten or 12 points, I’ve got to make up 22 on Sean at Placerville next week.
Anything can happen there and all I can do is to try to win the race and hope for the
best.”
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.
