Red Bluff, CA – As the 2005 portion of the Winter Indoor Series concluded ParkerStore Outlaw Kart driver Kyle Larson pulled into victory circle after the checkered flag fell in the 500cc Open Intermediate division. The win, Larson’s 34th of 97 main events in 2005 and 114th overall, was the first of the Red Bluff campaign for the 2005 national champion in the 500cc and 125cc divisions.

Larson began the day with second fast time in a field of 21 competitors. On this day the heat races were fully inverted with Larson starting seventh in the second eight lap heat. He finished lap one in sixth and jumped by Derek Copeland and Garrett Mills into fourth on the next lap. On lap four Mills got back by as Larson fell to fifth. On lap six Larson returned the favor in turn two and began to reel in Jonny Lentz, who was in the final transfer slot. Entering turn three of the final lap Larson got underneath Lentz and won the drag race to the finish, transferring to the A-Main with winner Alissa Geving and Kenny McArthur.

Larson lined up fifth in the six lap six kart trophy dash and appeared to be on his way to a fourth place finish when second running Mills’ kart lost power in turn four of the last lap, with third place Dillon Silverman and Larson unable to avoid Mills. The 13 year old from Elk Grove, California was scored sixth in the final rundown as Jake Park scored the win.

Larson started his ParkerStore/Grandpa George Motors/QRC Factory Kart fourth in the 30 lap A-Main. Larson got a great start and emerged second in turn two behind Daniel Thorson. Larson trailed Thorson until lap five when Oregon’s Jake Waddell powered by in turn two. On lap ten Larson retook the spot with a pass in turn four. He began to pressure Thorson constantly until the Reno, Nevada driver went a little high in turn four on lap 15. Larson dove below Thorson to make the winning move and then opened a large lead over the field during the last half of the race as he won by nearly two seconds. Thorson finished second and Robert Marcos came home third.

At the end of the days activities Larson commented, “When I saw the lineups for the heats and saw the full inversion and the loaded heat I was in, I kinda thought it might not be my day. But after the heat was over and I had transferred to the A-Main I knew my ParkerStore QRC kart was just about perfect. In the main I knew I had the best kart and I was just trying to be careful and smart and make passes when it was the right time. I was really surprised when Jake Waddell got by me, but I just told myself that there was a long way to go and be patient. After I got back by him I knew I could get Daniel and after I did it just felt like I was cruising, the kart felt so good.”

Race Date: December 17, 2005
Photos Courtesy of Jack Waterman
www.kylelarsonracing.com