Red Bluff, California – ParkerStore Outlaw Sprint Kart driver Kyle Larson raced to another top finish as the Red Bluff Winter Indoor Series returned for round number five inside the Pauline Davis Pavilion at the Tehama County Fairgrounds. By finishing third to winner Dillon Silverman in the 500cc Open Intermediate main event Larson was able to chip away once again at point leader Mason Moore’s margin. Going into the feature race Moore led Larson by 26 points, but a steering malfunction caused a last place finish for Moore and closed the gap to 16 points.

Larson qualified his ParkerStore/Grandpa George Motors/QRC Factory Kart second behind Moore as a field of 28 appeared for the event. Larson started fifth in the second heat and drove to a second place finish behind Jonny Lentz in the eight lap event, earning an automatic transfer to the A-Main in the process. He also started fifth in the six kart six lap trophy dash and crossed the finish line third as Andrew Cumpton got his first dash win of the season over Moore.

Larson lined up third for the feature race while Garrett Mills held the pole with Mackena Bell outside the front row and Moore outside of Larson. Mills assumed the lead at the start and Larson passed Bell coming out of turn four to move into second at the conclusion of lap one. Larson began to chase Mills on the dry slick surface, never more than a couple of kart lengths behind. Moore brought out the yellow flag with a spin in turn three of lap 8. By this point Silverman had advanced from his seventh starting position into third and appeared to be the fastest kart on the track. On lap 10 Moore got together with Matthew Davis to bring out another yellow.

As Mills continued to lead on the restart with Larson still pressuring, Silverman started to mount a challenge on Larson. On lap 14 Moore spun again in turn four as the yellow flew once more, bringing his night to an end due to the three stop rule. As the race restarted the top trio pulled away from the field as they ran nose to tail. Coming out of turn two of lap 18 Larson caught a rut, bobbling just enough for Silverman to get by. Lentz spun in turn three of lap 23, causing the lead duo of Mills and Silverman to think quick as to which direction to take around Lentz while racing to the yellow flag. Mills chose to go the high side, while Silverman went low and nipped Mills at the line to take over the lead. After restarting Silverman led the last two laps as Mills settled for second over Larson.

When it was all over Larson commented “Dillon had us covered tonight. The track was really abrasive in the main, more than I’ve ever seen it, and Dillon’s dad put a harder compound tire on than the rest of us and that was the key to winning this race. To come from seventh starting on this track they deserve to get the win. My kart was a little tight but really fast at the beginning and I was just waiting for Mills to make a mistake. But by the time Dillon got by me I could tell my tires were going away because the kart was starting to get real loose. After that, knowing that Mason had left the race, I just wanted to hold on and get another good finish. We managed to close some more ground on him, and with Keith Bloom dropping out of the B-Main, I’m pretty sure I’m second in points now. A win or two would be really nice to get before the season is done but the championship is what I want, however it comes.”

Race: November 12, 2005
Photos Courtesy of Jack Waterman
www.kylelarsonracing.com