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Engine Issues End Larson’s Asphalt Debut In Roseville USAC Go
Roseville, CA. September 26, 2009. With his dirt winged sprint car ride idle for the weekend due to family commitments, Kyle Larson took advantage of Ted Finkenbinder’s offer to try out his USAC Western States pavement sprint car at All American Speedway, as part of the NASCAR Camping World Series Copart 150 held Saturday at the Placer County Fairgrounds ¼ mile oval. Unfortunately for the 17 year old from Elk Grove, California, the 50 lap race for the sprint cars saw Larson’s day end early on lap 16 as he was black flagged with a smoking engine.
With three short practice session slated for Friday Larson was able to quickly get up to competitive lap times. The asphalt neophyte was within a half second of the fastest cars at the end of the last session on a cooling racetrack that had been subjected to 100 degree temperatures all day.
When Saturday dawned the air and track temperatures were even slightly higher. With qualifying slated for the hottest part of the day, Larson found the Western Industrial X-Ray machine to be struggling for the traction needed, resulting in 13th quick time of the 18 cars on hand.
After making a series of adjustments on the setup Larson started the event hoping for the best. Once underway with the improved handling on his race car Larson drove a steady race in the early going, just trying to get valuable seat time while making the 50 lap distance.
However, around lap 12 Larson’s mount began to put out a small amount of smoke. By the time Gordon Rodgers spun to bring out the race’s first yellow flag on lap 16, the amount of smoke had increased to the point officials black flagged Larson to assess if any fluids might be leaking onto the track.
Not wanting to risk any damage to the powerplant Larson exited the speedway and headed straight to his pit, ending his first foray on pavement. He was credited with a 16th place finish as Kingsburg, California’s Tanner Swanson, the USAC Western States Series point leader, captured the main event.
After the race Larson stated, “Pavement racing is so much different than running dirt. You have to be patient and precise. I know I need pavement experience if I want to further my racing career. Any seat time on pavement is valuable. I want to thank Ted Finkenbinder for giving me this opportunity and for Dave Vertullo helping me out on Friday. Also, I would like to thank Shauna Hogg and her team, and Jerry Kobza for giving me advice. Their knowledge was appreciated. Finally, I want to thank Rich Stadelhofer for the set of new tires.”
Larson will return to the dirt this coming week as the three day Fall Nationals are contested at Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway. Larson and an expected 70 other entrants will be vying for the $6,000 top prize that goes to the winner of Saturday night’s 40 lap feature event.
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