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June 16, 2011 at
01:20:51 AM by maj1kmotorsportspr
LARSON’S SUCCESSFUL INDIANA MIDGET WEEK COMES UP JUST SHORT OF TITLE
Columbus, Indiana. June 14, 2011. If Indiana race fans weren’t aware of Kyle Larson previously, the 18 year old driver from Elk Grove, California made sure to officially introduce himself over the course of the last few days. With Indiana Midget Week contested at five venues Larson was a factor all week long and closed out the final four races with podium finishes. Among the highlights was his first USAC Mopar National Midget Series win, and a battle to the wire for the IMW points title with defending Midget Driver of the Year, Bryan Clauson.
The quintet of events began on Wednesday night at Gas City Speedway where Larson qualified 12th quick of the 37cars assembled. A fourth place finish in his heat race transferred the Keith Kunz Motorsports/Toyota Racing Development Bullet into the night’s 30 lap feature event.
Getting his time back Larson began the event from 12th starting on the grid. When the green flag was unfurled it became obvious that passing would be at a premium as the bottom of the racetrack would be the fast way around. Larson somehow found a way to make the majority of his passes around the outside of his competition as he drove to a hard fought seventh place finish, trailing Clauson, as USAC point leader Darren Hagen captured the opener.
The contingent then moved on to Lincoln Park Speedway in beautiful downtown Putnamville for round number two. Larson timed in fourth fast of the 35 drivers on hand and then raced to a second place finish in his heat to earn a spot in the main event.
The 30 lap feature unfolded quietly enough as outside front row starter Clauson led the early part of the race over polesitter Jerry Coons, Jr. as third starting Larson showed he would be a contender. With Clauson comfortably out front Coons, Jr. had his hands full fending off Larson. Once Larson finally dispatched of Coons, Jr. it became clear that the Kunz # 67 was the fastest car on the track and began to reel in Clauson’s mount.
As Larson continually pounded the tall cushion the gap closed until he took the lead from Clauson just past the mid point of the race. Over the next several laps Larson extended his lead and appeared headed to his first national midget win. However, a caution with four laps to go changed the complexion of the race as Clauson closed back in for the restart.
Over the course of the final four laps an epic battle ensued between the Northern California natives as slide jobs were traded at both ends of the track in thrilling fashion. Larson led off the final corner but Clauson got a run to the checkered to steal the win as Brad Kuhn finished a fast closing third. It was a classic race that saw six official lead changes, but unofficially had 13 between Larson and Clauson in just the final four laps.
Round three became a charm for Larson at Bloomington Speedway as 33 cars signed into the pits on Friday. With 12th quick time Larson seemed to be looking at a mid pack starting position for the night’s headliner event. However, when Larson gained a transfer spot in his heat race and six of the top nine qualifiers were relegated to the semi main, the Californian secured the pole for 30 lap feature.
Outside front row starter Chris Windom grabbed the lead at the outset but Larson was never out of striking distance. Action heated up when Larson took the lead on lap 18, only to have Windom reclaim the point a lap later. Moving to the high side of the racetrack Larson began to run the cushion to perfection and put relentless pressure on Windom. A slight miscue by Windom on lap 27 provided the opening Larson needed to power ahead. This time Larson held the lead to score his first win in USAC competition. With Clauson finishing sixth Larson moved into a tie for the Midget Week points with two races remaining.
Lawrenceburg Speedway held round number four and from the early going it looked that Larson’s fortunes would take a big hit on this night. Qualifying 18th fast of 23 cars and falling from the pole to third in his heat race did not inspire hope heading into the main event. However, Kunz worked his magic tuning the race car and Larson slide-jobbed his way to a satisfying third place finish from 17th starting. Clauson pulled out his second win of the week and held a 11 point lead going into the finale at Kokomo Speedway on Sunday.
There, prospects brightened for Larson as he timed in seventh while Clauson fell to 13th of the 27 cars pitted. Things got even better as Larson transferred to the feature through his heat while fourth fast Matt Smith missed the cut and headed to the b-main. As a result Larson inherited the pole position for the 30 lapper while Clauson gridded 13th.
Needing to finish four places ahead of Clauson to tie for the title Larson looked to be on a mission from the outset as he led over first Zach Daum, and then Michael Pickens. While Clauson struggled to move forward Larson fended off heavy pressure from Pickens over the middle stages of the race. Finally, on lap 28, Larson nicked the turn four wall just enough to allow Pickens to get the lead into turn one with two to go.
Before Larson could fully gather up his momentum Tracy Hines and Kuhn both also scooted by. With Clauson moving up to sixth at the same time Larson’s hopes for the IMW title evaporated. Coming to the checkered Kuhn slapped the turn four wall, which gifted Larson with a slight consolation as he garnered his fourth straight podium finish as Clauson crossed the line in fifth.
Although he fell short of stealing the IMW title from Clauson by just six points, Larson was satisfied to even be in contention. “I’m just seeing most of these tracks for the first time,” Larson began, “so to run this well is just a testament to the team I have behind me. Keith, Pete Willoughby, Beau, and Kris work their butts off to make me look good and my Toyota engine is working great every race. I just wish I wasn’t such a bad qualifier because I outscored Bryan in feature points but gave up a lot in qualifying points. I’m real happy to get my first USAC main event win though, and maybe I can get some more, as we are looking at the big picture with our eye still on the championship.”
Larson’s racing efforts are sponsored by Toyota Racing Development, Bullet Chassis, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Stadelhofer Construction, Peppermill ~ Resort ~ Spa Casino ~ Reno, Simpson Race Products, RJ’s Race Graphics, Abreu Vineyards, JW Web Design, Kaeding Performance, Safety Solutions and All Star Performance.
For more information and news on Kyle Larson visit his website at www.kylelarsonracing.com
Video clips of each night's main event:
Gas City Speedway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ApiP2yJLGg
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