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March 22, 2011 at
11:32:18 AM by maj1kmotorsportspr
Three Times From The Back Larson Salvages 12th In Tulare WoO
Hanford Feature Postponed To March 31st.
Hanford and Tulare, California – March 18 & 19, 2011. After a less than stellar beginning to his night of World of Outlaws competition at Tulare’s Thunderbowl Raceway Saturday, Kyle Larson stepped it up in the end by coming from last to 12th at the finish of the feature won by Joey Saldana. Although Larson passed more cars than any other in the original lineup, the result was even more impressive considering the 18 year old from Elk Grove, California headed pit side twice in the course of the 35 lap event.
With 26 cars pitted under very threatening weather Larson could only muster 22nd quick time in qualifying. In the three heat format Larson lined up eighth in the nine car field and held his original starting position to the finish. As a result Larson placed the Stadelhofer Construction/Peppermill Casino/Maxim Shaver fifth on the grid of the B-main event. When the eight lapper was over Larson eeked his way into the feature with the final transfer spot of sixth.
When the 24 car headliner took the green flag Larson found new life on the drying and very racy 3/8 mile surface as he quickly began to march forward. The opening lap saw Larson pass Trey Starks, Tommy Tarlton, Cory Eliason and Kraig Kinser. After tussling with Bill Rose for a bit he made a pass stick on lap four to move into 19th.
Over the next six laps Larson sped by Evan Suggs, Cody Darrah, Tim Kaeding, Ben Gregg, and Chad Kemenah before settling into a three way fight with Steve Kinser and Bud Kaeding for 12th. When the first yellow flag appeared for early leader Kerry Madsen Larson sat 13th with 15 laps completed.
When the race resumed in double file fashion Darrah drove up and over Larson’s right rear tire and went for a wild flip in turn four that collected several other behind. Larson’s right rear tire was popped in the process and he headed to the pits for new Goodyear rubber. As the lap was completed following the restart Larson and Craig Dollansky had contact on the front stretch that collapsed the “Crowd Pleaser’s” front axle and resulted in a broken left shock for the number 99 car.
After returning to the pits for repairs Larson began the passing process once again over the last half of the race. From 18th Larson battled forward until he reached Lucas Wolfe, who was running 12th. Over the last ten laps the duo engaged in a spirited battle for the position, with each swapping the position near the end. However, Larson prevailed to take the hard earned 12th at the checkered.
“That was probably the most satisfying 12th place finish ever,” Larson joked after the race. “With the way our night started I thought we’d be the first car lapped. Early in the night it didn’t seem like we could get the car to go forward no matter what we tried. But my guys, Clark Riolo and Matt Britt, threw some big changes at it for the main. With the track really slickening off like it did, the car came to life and it ran the topside perfect. I wish we could have stayed out of trouble, though. We had a top ten car for sure.”
The night before at Hanford’s Giant Chevrolet/Kings Speedway the same 26 cars and drivers assembled for the opener of the scheduled twin race weekend. Larson timed in 18th quick and finished fourth in the heat from sixth starting to line up 18th for the feature.
However, Mother Nature had other plans as the cars rolled onto the speedway for the 35 lap event. Light sprinkles turned into a steady rain and postponed the race until Thursday March 31st. In addition to the World of Outlaws feature, the companion non-wing USAC 360’s will also complete that portion of the program with the running of their B and A main events.
Larson’s racing efforts are sponsored by Stadelhofer Construction, Peppermill ~ Resort ~ Spa Casino ~ Reno, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Simpson Race Products, Abreu Vineyards, JW Web Design, Kaeding Performance, Safety Solutions and All Star Performance.
For more information and news on 18-year-old Kyle Larson visit his website at www.kylelarsonracing,com .
Race: March 18 & 19, 2011
Photos Courtesy of MAJ1K Motorsports
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