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Larson First To Repeat In Civil War With Another Win At Chico
Point chase tightens with move into second
Chico, California. July 18, 2008. 15 year old Kyle Larson became the first driver to score a second win in the 15 race Hoosier Tires California 360 Sprint Car Civil War Series during round number eight at Silver Dollar Speedway last Friday night. Both wins in the series for the youngster have come at the Chico speed plant. Although Larson comfortably led most of the race, an excursion through a treacherous rut in turn one while attempting to pass lapped traffic allowed defending Civil War champion Andy Forsberg to take over the lead until a blown head gasket ended his race six laps short of the finish.
With 40 cars in the pits Larson qualified the Dave and Debbie Vertullo CRV Racing Products/ Eagle/ Kistler tenth fast. A second place finish from fourth starting in his heat race secured for Larson an automatic transfer into the night’s A-main event. The inversion draw gridded the 83v sprint car outside of Brett Miller on the front row.
As the green flag unfurled Larson powered away from the field until Miller flipped after hitting the turn one rut on lap two. Colby Weisz moved into second for the restart as Larson quickly opened up another commanding lead, which he held until lap ten when Weisz got tangled up with the lapped car of Doug Machado. Forsberg inherited second for the restart, while Larson began to open another large lead once underway.
As Larson approached traffic a few laps later Forsberg was able to close in and begin to apply pressure. On lap 19 Larson hit the rut in turn one while attempting an outside pass of a lapper and Forsberg dove underneath to take over the lead. Two laps later the same fate befell Larson and third place Myles Bishop took over the runnerup spot.
As the threesome ran nose to tail thru backmarkers on lap 22, Forsberg began to spin in turn two. Bishop could not miss the veteran driver and contact ensued. Fortunately for Forsberg, Bishop’s car straightened his line and he was able to hold the lead as Larson scampered back into second. Unfortunately for Bishop, his race was over with a broken car parked in the infield, which brought out the yellow flag.
On the restart Forsberg and Larson resumed their battle at the front with sixth starting Dan Menne in third. The final yellow flag flew on lap 24 for a spin by Alissa Geving. After the green came back out Forsberg began to slightly slow racing down the back straight and Larson dove underneath into turn three. With the pass completed in turn four Forsberg continued to lose power and exited the track two laps later. Over the last six laps Larson maintained the lead over Menne and took his third career Civil War win and fourth overall main event win in less than a year.
With the win Larson was able to pass Forsberg for second in the Civil War Series point standings and close ground on point leader Sean Becker, who also experienced engine woes and finished 14th. Larson entered the night 35 points behind Becker and now trails by 15. The Civil War series resumes this coming Saturday, July 26th at Petaluma Speedway for round number nine.
Larson also raced at Placerville Speedway on Saturday night and looked to have another potential win in his sights with his second consecutive front row start in the main event. After setting fast time over the 26 cars assembled the zero inversion placed Larson on the pole. Larson got a slight jump over outside front row starter Scott Russell but Larson was not able to maintain traction in turn two. Although he did a half spin he was able to keep his machine under power and continue on without bringing out a yellow flag. By lap 14 Larson had moved back to fourth place, but a cut tire in turn two on lap 15 sent the Vertullo mount thru the tall cushion that had built up. The impact thru the cushion completely filled the frame rails in front of the radiator with many pounds of heavy tacky clay, negating the ability of the suspension and steering to function properly. The decision was made to not attempt to reenter the race and Larson was scored 16th in the final rundown.
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, and Sierra Tire and Wheel.
Check out www.kylelarsonracing.com for video clips, current news and information.
Race Date: July 18 & 19, 2008
Photos Courtesy of Steve’s Racing Photos
www.stevesracingphotos.com
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