Kyle Larson becomes youngest King of California
- By Gary Thomas – August 21, 2010 – Placerville, CA. …

Entering the final night of the Golden State Challenge Series season on Saturday with a nine-point lead in the standings Elk Grove, California’s Kyle Larson put together a smooth and consistent 30-laps of racing in the main event and drove to a fourth place finish at the conclusion to wrap up his very first King of California title. 

By winning the championship the 18-year-old became the youngest driver to ever claim the Golden State Challenge title in the 25-year history of the series. Larson finished the season with five A-main victories, 17 top-five finishes, 21 top-10’s and six heat race triumphs aboard the Stadelhofer Construction, Peppermill-Resort-Spa-Casino-Reno No. 99. 

Watsonville and Placerville, CA August 20 and 21, 2010. After returning from a two week trip to the midwest while racing the non wing 410 sprint car of colorful Cactus Jack Yeley, Kyle Larson became the youngest champion-at three weeks past his 18th birthday- in the 25 year history of the Golden State Challenge Series when he raced to a title clinching fourth place finish at Placerville Speedway Saturday night.

Entering the night nine points ahead of 13 time GSC champ Brent Kaeding, who is also the owner of the Elk Grove, California driver’s car, Larson drove a smart, conservative race at the foothill bullring to become the new King of California by a 15 point margin. Larson’s five main event wins in the 24 races contested provided the margin needed to take the Stadelhofer Construction/Peppermill Casino/Kaeding Performance number 99 machine to the title.

“It’s a great feeling to win the championship over a guy like Brent Kaeding, who everybody knows is the real King of California,” Larson said during celebrations after the race. “Without Brent providing me with such great equipment and Rich Stadelhofer, of Stadelhofer Construction, and all the other sponsors, this would not have been possible. Also, my crew of Clark Riolo, Matt “Skippy” Britt, and Nick Wilke are real fun to work with and it is an honor to share this with all of them.”

Larson started the night off with seventh quick time in the 25 car field. After placing second to Kenny Allen in the first heat Larson watched Kaeding capture the win in heat three to close the point gap to eight. Unfortunately for Kaeding, his 12th fast qualifying effort left him looking on from the outside when the eight fastest cars to transfer to the main event lined up for the dash that sets the first four rows of the headliner.
   
Larson drew the number six starting assignment in the six lapper and raced past Jonathan Allard, Andy Forsberg and Billy Strange, Jr., to finish third, earning the inside second row slot in the feature. By virtue of his qualifying time Kaeding lined up 12th while dash winner Evan Suggs and runnerup Sean Becker occupied the front row for the 30 lap event.

Soon after the green flag appeared the race came to a halt with Kaeding a victim of the close quarter racing that the speedway is famous for. When a couple of cars checked up in turn three “BK” found himself on his side with minor wing damage. A complete restart was in order with Kaeding at the tail of the 22 car field.

On the restart Suggs assumed control of the race over Becker and Larson. However, with one lap in the books Zach Zimmerly brought out the first yellow flag of the race. Underway again sixth starting Tim Kaeding began to assert himself as the race ran several laps non stop and by lap 11 “TK” had gotten by Forsberg, Larson, and Becker to take over second.

Several red flag periods, including an extended one for a jarring flip by Pat Harvey, Jr., slowed the pace of the race in the second half. Larson eventually had a late race pass of Becker nullified when the last red flag appeared on lap 25 for James Sweeney.

While Suggs valiantly tried to hold onto the lead over the last laps, it was all for naught when “TK” made a daring pass off turn four on lap 27. Becker also accomplished the same feat on the last lap to steal second, while Larson held steady to take the GSC championship with his fourth place finish.

“My crew gave me a car good enough to win the race but I knew I had to be smart and finish the race to get the championship and that is what I focused on all race long. I just want to thank everyone who was here tonight to be a part of this-my family, friends, the Stadelhofer Posse of Rich, Osman, Jim and Tim and all the fans who pull for me. I’ll remember this for a long time.”

Larson also competed at Watsonville at Ocean Speedway on Friday night in round number ten of the Taco Bravo 360 Series. Things didn’t go so well there for Larson as an early draw as the third car out on a track that was still coming in led to 20th fast time of the 31 cars entered.

He did pull off a heat race win from the outside of the front row, earning the 16th starting position on the main event grid. After racing as high as ninth by the midpoint of the race Larson became the final caution period of the race at lap 24 when his left front clipped the implement tire in turn one and he spun to a stop.

As Tim Kaeding raced to a flag to flag win over point leader Tommy Tarlton, second in points Larson recovered after restarting at the tail end of the pack and fought back to an 11th place finish.

Larson, the only driver to win two of the four qualifying races for this coming Saturday’s prestigious $5,000 to win Johnny Key Classic, will be joined by Tim and Brent Kaeding, Tarlton, Ronnie Day, and Peter Murphy as the only drivers guaranteed starting places in the 50 lap feature. All other competitors will attempt to make the highest paying race at the speedway via qualifying races held prior to the feature event.

Larson’s racing efforts are sponsored by Stadelhofer Construction, The Peppermill ~ Resort ~ Spa ~ Casino ~ Reno, Kaeding Performance, Safety Solutions, Simpson Race Products, JW Web Design and All Star Performance.

For more information and news on Kyle Larson please visit www.kylelarsonracing.com.

Race: August 20 & 21, 2010
Photos Courtesy of Steve LaMothe
www.stevesracingphotos.com