Larson Second In Exciting Golden State Challenge Series Ocean Speedway Feature
Watsonville, CA ~ April 24, 2010. Engaged in thrilling racing long duels at Watsonville Speedway as the Golden State Challenge Series held round number five there, Kyle Larson nearly pulled off his second GSC feature event win in three weeks, eventually settling for second to Bud Kaeding Saturday night.
With heavy lapped traffic hampering Larson’s hard fought efforts that gained him the lead, Kaeding seized an opportunity in the late going that netted the pair their second straight one-two finish at the track in two weeks. They also finished one-two when Larson made a late race pass of Kaeding and prevailed at Thunderbowl Speedway in Tulare on April 10th.
With 23 cars on hand to qualify on a gradually slowing dry slick racetrack Larson made a late round attempt that was good for fifth fast time. A third in his heat transferred him into the A-main and also garnered a spot in the eight car dash that would align the first four rows of the feature.
Larson drew the number three pill for the dash, which slotted him behind the front row of Brent Kaeding and Jonathan Allard. At the drop of the green flag Kaeding assumed the lead while Larson dove low in turns one and two to take second from Allard before hitting the back stretch. While Allard found some mid race misfortune that saw him finish fifth in the event, Kaeding and Larson raced to the checkered in first and second, placing the 13 time GSC champion and 17 year old youngster on the front row of the 30 lap headliner.
After the dash the track surface was reworked and provided a much racier ¼ mile that set the stage for one of the best races seen at the coastal facility. Once underway action commenced immediately as Brent Kaeding got the jump and fourth starter Zach Zimmerly pressured Larson heavily on the first lap. In fact, after passing Larson on the outside in turn three the 15 year old Zimmerly nearly overhauled Kaeding for the lead out of turn four.
Larson fought back and got underneath Zimmerly on the back straightaway on lap two. In an instant Allard scooted below Larson in turn three and the trio entered the turn three wide. When it shook out onto the front stretch Kaeding led Allard and Larson as Zimmerly tried to regroup.
The lead threesome began to pull away and settled into a crowd pleasing ballet of high powered dicing with no one giving an inch. Larson finally got back by Allard only to have the pass negated when Jason Statler lost power in turn two on lap eight.
On the restart the three leaders resumed their three way fight in much the same manner as Allard looked for a way around Kaeding, who was hugging the bottom, while also trying to fend off Larson, who was looking for a way underneath both. Action came to a stop when Zimmerly flipped in turn three to bring out a red flag.
On the restart Larson began to step up the pressure on Allard and got past the two time GSC champ when he moved underneath in turn four on lap 11. Bud Kaeding began to insert himself into the mix as he engaged Allard in some tight racing. Finally, in turn four of lap 13 the pair made contact and Allard came to a stop with front end damage.
Allard drove to the pit area for repairs, but unfortunately for him, passed through an area of the pits that is off limits to race cars. As a result no courtesy laps were given, and with the final 17 laps going non-stop Allard was never able to re-enter the race.
With the race restarted Brent Kaeding resumed his race long method of using the bottom of the slick racing surface to maintain the lead. Larson followed Brent for the next four laps before deciding to try the cushion in turns one and two. Finding that to his liking Larson closed in on the elder Kaeding for the lead. On lap 19 Larson’s Stadelhofer Construction/PeppermillResortSpaCasinoReno/BK Motorsports mount powered off turn two to get in position to close the door in turn three to take the lead.
As Brent bobbled slightly in turn three son Bud also pounced to take command of second. With heavy lapped traffic on the horizon Larson began to thread his way through with precision moves both high and low. All the while Bud Kaeding loomed nearby looking for any opening or misstep.
On lap 24 Larson slid a bit wide exiting turn four and the three time USAC Silver Crown Champion was there to capitalize. Over the final six laps Larson never gave up as he battled through lappers with Kaeding, racing nearly side by side on several occasions. Larson made one final stab in turns three and four but could not get the traction needed onto the front stretch and finished as the runnerup a quarter second behind.
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.
Check out www.kylelarsonracing.com for videos, current news and information.
Race: April 24, 2010
Photos Courtesy Shane Muir
- Kyle Larson Racing on Apr 27, 2010
- Article Date: 4/27/2010