Red Bluff, CA – Kyle Larson appeared to be well on his way to carrying the ParkerStore colors to his sixth consecutive win in the 125cc division Saturday night, but it was not to be as a lapped kart spun directly in his path with three laps to go. Larson also dealt with some bad luck in the Open Intermediate division but carried his QRC Factory Sprint Kart to a fine fourth place finish after restarting at the rear following a first lap incident.

Indoor racing returned to the Pauline Davis Pavilion at the Tehama County Fairgrounds in Red Bluff and Larson was hoping to extend his streak of 125cc success that saw him sweep the month of January. The ParkerStore pilot began his day by setting third fast time in a field of twenty-six 125cc competitors and the effort started Larson fourth in the third heat. At the start he moved into third by turn one and that was the position he held to the lap 10 conclusion as Shane Graham set a torrid pace to lead every lap with Derek Copeland second. Larson’s third place finish garnered him an automatic transfer to the night’s feature event.

The six kart six lap trophy dash found Larson starting fourth. By lap two he had moved to third while Riley Gomes led. Exiting turn four with the white flag in sight, second place Dillon Silverman half spun and momentarily collected Larson and fourth place Brian Southers. Larson broke free and completed the final lap behind Gomes.

The main event began with third starting Larson using every ounce of his Banke powerplant to quickly dispose of outside front row starter Jonny Lentz on lap one. Lap two saw Larson execute another quick pass on leader Colby Copeland exiting turn two and Southers did the same to Lentz to move into third. Lap four saw Southers take the runner-up spot from Colby Copeland as the yellow flag appeared for a tangle involving Josh Keheley and Andrew Cumpton.

The restart saw another battle develop between longtime combatants and friends Larson and Southers as the duo showed their dominance by pulling away from the field. Although Larson was never in jeopardy of losing the lead Southers was never more than a couple of kart lengths in arrears. As the pair approached lapped traffic on lap 22 the only question appeared to be which one would negotiate the back markers best. However, exiting turn two Gomes spun directly in Larson’s and Southers’ path to bring out the yellow flag. A surprised Colby Copeland inherited the lead as Larson and Southers restarted at the back of the pack. Larson attempted to time his start with the leader and brought his ParkerStore kart all the way back to fourth in the remaining three laps but was set back to a ninth place finish as the official’s deemed his start to be a split second too early. Colby Copeland was able to bring his kart home for his first feature win at Red Bluff.

The Open Intermediate 500cc division saw Larson use his Grandpa George power to time in second quick of the 28 karts assembled. Larson started inside the third row of heat two and moved into third on lap one with a pass of James Sweeney in turn four. Sweeney returned the favor in turn two to drop Larson out of the transfer spot. After a yellow for Jake Park on lap five Camron Mendes restarted as the leader but spun in turn one as Christopher Phillips took command. Larson was able to maintain third place to the finish behind Phillips and Sweeney and transfer to the A-Main.

The Trophy Dash found Larson starting fifth. He got by point leader Chadd Noland in turn two of lap one but that move was negated when Steven Rogers brought out the red flag with a tumble in turn four. When the event restarted pole sitter Derek O’Bannon raced into the lead. On lap three fourth running Larson moved into second as Phillips spun collecting third place Noland. On the lap four restart Larson powered by O’Bannon on the front straightaway and proceeded to open a sizable lead that he held to the lap six checkered.

Larson started inside the second row of the Main event but saw that choice starting spot lost as Phillips half spun and knocked Larson onto the berm causing his kart to stall. Starting at the back of the pack Larson wasted little time moving to the front as he was sixth by lap four. Lap eight saw Robert Marcos flip down the front straight and Larson took over his fifth place position. By lap nine Larson moved by Sweeney with a pass in turn four as he moved into fourth. Noland had set a sizzling pace from the outset and led easily over Brent Hamilton and Phillips. Over the final 10 laps Larson applied relentless pressure on Phillips hoping for a mistake the ParkerStore leadfoot could capitalize on. However, Phillips never bobbled and Larson ended his night in fourth as Noland won over Hamilton and assumed the point lead.

After the races Larson said “Well, the 125 streak couldn’t go on forever but it sure would have been fun to fight it out with Brian for the win. I’m glad for Colby because he’s had a couple of wins get away from him and it’s neat to see him get his first ever win at Red Bluff.”

Race: February 5, 2005
Photo Courtesy of Jack Waterman