From Peterson Media
The 2011 season was a breakout year that many thought could not be repeated, but the soon to be 20-year-old, Kyle Larson, is now making a name for himself in the NASCAR ranks.
In all reality, Larson’s accomplishments, and his impressive, growing resume should be no surprise to us as the youngster lit the world on fire as he picked up 22 feature wins in 2011 including wins in three major sanctioning bodies, all three United States Auto Club classes (USAC), the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS), and the World of Outlaws (WoO).
That dream season has led to a number of great opportunities for Larson, which leads us to the wild month that he is currently having.
“There is no doubt in my mind winning so many races last year helped get me in the position I am today,” Larson explained. “I got the chance to drive for so many great car owners it put me in prime position to do well, and for that I am very thankful.”
Being named to pilot a Rev Racing machine in the 2012 K&N Pro Series East, which he currently sites third in the standings, and then subsequently signing with the Earnhardt Ganassi Driver Development program, Larson has quickly adapted to stock car racing while keeping up with his dirt roots.
“I was fortunate enough to win my very first stock car race, but getting the hang of it (stock car racing) is pretty tricky, especially with my open wheel background,” he explained.
Kicking off the latest impressive stint in this kids legacy was his first triumph with the K&N Pro Series that came on June 9th in just his sixth start with the series.
“It was awesome to get that first K&N East win,” he said. “We had been up front so many times, and to finally have it all come together was an awesome accomplishment.”
The win set up the 19-year-olds next step to his dream of racing in NASCAR’s top division, the opportunity to drive an Earnhardt-Ganassi Toyota with the ARCA Series at the Michigan International Speedway on Friday June, 15th.
“I had tested an ARCA car earlier in the summer, and we put down some good laps,” he continued. “It got the ball rolling for the chance to drive a Camping World Series Truck, but I had to get approved by NASCAR first.”
Larson’s seventh fastest qualifying effort for the event opened even more eyes to his skill set as he continues to show many naysayers that he is in fact the real deal.
Though his results weren’t up to his high standards, Larson turned in a solid 13th place effort in his debut.
“Luckily I had a good enough finish, and was able to finish, I got the approval to race the truck, and then it was a matter of when I would race it,” said the Elk Grove, CA driver.
Following the ARCA Race Larson quickly met back up with his dirt team, as he was ready to compete in Indiana Midget Week for Keith Kunz Motorsports.
The culminating night for Larson came on June 17th at the Kokomo Speedway in Kokomo, Indiana where not only did he win the midget race, he then climbed into his Abreu Vineyards/Stadelhofer Construction No.1k non-winged sprint car and defeated a very stout field of cars in the sprint car feature, in similar fashion to his Four Crown sweep last summer.
“I love dirt, open wheel racing, and am pretty fortunate I am able to race sprint cars, or midgets so much with the open schedule in the K&N deal,” he said. “It keeps me busy, and keeps the competitive juices flowing.”
On June 23rd Larson scored a seventh place finish with his Rev Racing team in Hampton, VA and then promptly hopped on a plane and headed to Ohio to wheel a winged sprint car during Ohio Speedweek.
Just one day after competing on pavement, Larson climbed back in the seat of his Abreu Vineyards/Stadelhofer Construction No.1K winged sprint car and picking up his first career UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions main event.
On June 25th it was announced that Larson had again taken another step towards his NASCAR aspirations, as he has been named to wheel the Turner Motorsports Camping World Series Truck at the Kentucky Speedway.
“After getting approved to run the truck, it was tough to keep the secret in after we finally had the date locked in.” he said. “It’s been pretty overwhelming from all the well wishers and support I get from so many fans.”
After that big announcement, Larson got back to work on dirt, and won his second straight Ohio Speedweek race.
On June 28th, after competing in a couple more sprint car races, Larson will head to the Kentucky Speedway where he will make his Camping World Series debut as he pilots the Turner Motorsports No.4 truck, the same truck that fellow dirt racer, Kasey Kahne, piloted to a victory earlier this season.
“It’s so surreal that this is happening so fast, and I’m very excited for the opportunity to drive such a strong truck on Saturday,” he explained. “It’s capable of winning, but I’m just focusing on making good laps and learning a whole bunch.”
For Larson the last month has been hectic, but the youngster loves the madness, and simply loves racing as much as he can.
“The last month has been hectic, but it’s only going to get a lot more crazy,” he continued. “I think in the next two months I will be running approximately 50-races, including some huge events I’ve never competed in before.”
Some compare him to Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, and even AJ Foyt- but to most he is simply Elk Grove, CA driver, Kyle Larson.
Larson would like to thank Earnhardt-Ganassi, Abreu Vineyards, and BulterBuilt for their support of his 2012 endeavors.