PETERSEN
MEDIA- The 2011 season was a breakout year that many thought could not
be repeated, but the soon to be 20-year-old, Kyle Larson, is now making a
name for himself in the NASCAR ranks.
In all reality, Larson’s accomplishments, and his impressive, growing
resume should be no surprise to us as the youngster lit the world on
fire as he picked up 22 feature wins in 2011 including wins in three
major sanctioning bodies, all three United States Auto Club classes
(USAC), the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS), and the World of Outlaws
(WoO).
That dream season has led to a number of great opportunities for
Larson, which leads us to the wild month that he is currently having.
“There is no doubt in my mind winning so many races last year helped
get me in the position I am today,” Larson explained. “I got the chance
to drive for so many great car owners it put me in prime position to do
well, and for that I am very thankful.”
Being named to pilot a Rev Racing machine in the 2012 K&N Pro
Series East, which he currently sites third in the standings, and then
subsequently signing with the Earnhardt Ganassi Driver Development
program, Larson has quickly adapted to stock car racing while keeping up
with his dirt roots.
“I was fortunate enough to win my very first stock car race, but
getting the hang of it (stock car racing) is pretty tricky, especially
with my open wheel background,” he explained.
Kicking off the latest impressive stint in this kids legacy was his
first triumph with the K&N Pro Series that came on June 9th in just
his sixth start with the series.
“It was awesome to get that first K&N East win,” he said. “We had
been up front so many times, and to finally have it all come together
was an awesome accomplishment.”
The win set up the 19-year-olds next step to his dream of racing in
NASCAR’s top division, the opportunity to drive an Earnhardt-Ganassi
Toyota with the ARCA Series at the Michigan International Speedway on
Friday June, 15th.
“I had tested an ARCA car earlier in the summer, and we put down some
good laps,” he continued. “It got the ball rolling for the chance to
drive a Camping World Series Truck, but I had to get approved by NASCAR
first.”
Larson’s seventh fastest qualifying effort for the event opened even
more eyes to his skill set as he continues to show many naysayers that
he is in fact the real deal.
Though his results weren’t up to his high standards, Larson turned in a solid 13th place effort in his debut.
“Luckily I had a good enough finish, and was able to finish, I got
the approval to race the truck, and then it was a matter of when I would
race it,” said the Elk Grove, CA driver.
Following the ARCA Race Larson quickly met back up with his dirt
team, as he was ready to compete in Indiana Midget Week for Keith Kunz
Motorsports.
The culminating night for Larson came on June 17th at the Kokomo
Speedway in Kokomo, Indiana where not only did he win the midget race,
he then climbed into his Abreu Vineyards/Stadelhofer Construction No.1k
non-winged sprint car and defeated a very stout field of cars in the
sprint car feature, in similar fashion to his Four Crown sweep last
summer.
“I love dirt, open wheel racing, and am pretty fortunate I am able to
race sprint cars, or midgets so much with the open schedule in the
K&N deal,” he said. “It keeps me busy, and keeps the competitive
juices flowing.”
On June 23rd Larson scored a seventh place finish with his Rev Racing
team in Hampton, VA and then promptly hopped on a plane and headed to
Ohio to wheel a winged sprint car during Ohio Speedweek.
Just one day after competing on pavement, Larson climbed back in the
seat of his Abreu Vineyards/Stadelhofer Construction No.1K winged sprint
car and picking up his first career UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions
main event.
On June 25th it was announced that Larson had again taken another
step towards his NASCAR aspirations, as he has been named to wheel the
Turner Motorsports Camping World Series Truck at the Kentucky Speedway.
“After getting approved to run the truck, it was tough to keep the
secret in after we finally had the date locked in.” he said. “It’s been
pretty overwhelming from all the well wishers and support I get from so
many fans.”
After that big announcement, Larson got back to work on dirt, and won his second straight Ohio Speedweek race.
On June 28th, after competing in a couple more sprint car races,
Larson will head to the Kentucky Speedway where he will make his Camping
World Series debut as he pilots the Turner Motorsports No.4 truck, the
same truck that fellow dirt racer, Kasey Kahne, piloted to a victory
earlier this season.
“It’s so surreal that this is happening so fast, and I’m very excited
for the opportunity to drive such a strong truck on Saturday,” he
explained. “It’s capable of winning, but I’m just focusing on making
good laps and learning a whole bunch.”
For Larson the last month has been hectic, but the youngster loves the madness, and simply loves racing as much as he can.
“The last month has been hectic, but it’s only going to get a lot
more crazy,” he continued. “I think in the next two months I will be
running approximately 50-races, including some huge events I’ve never
competed in before.”
Some compare him to Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, and even AJ Foyt- but to most he is simply Elk Grove, CA driver, Kyle Larson.
Larson would like to thank Earnhardt-Ganassi, Abreu Vineyards, and BulterBuilt for their support of his 2012 endeavors.
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