Kyle
Larson has a bright and promising career in NASCAR racing. In an attempt to ensure
that future, Ganassi Racing has reportedly asked the 20-year old California
native to refrain from driving wingless Sprint Cars.
The
Ganassi developmental driver leads the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East standings
by a single point over Corey Lajoie with two races remaining, despite riding
out a terrifying crash during the recent USAC Four Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway.
Larson hit the Turn Two wall and overturned, before being struck in midair by the
car of Mitch Wissmiller and sent for another high-speed series of
flips. The impact with Wissmiller severely damaged the roll cage on Larson’s Hoffman
Racing #69 entry, but he was able to walk away uninjured.
Larson
was scheduled to drive the #73 Josh Ford Motorsports sprinter at the Tulare (CA)
Thunderbowl on October 18th, but the team confirmed today that he
has withdrawn from that event, reportedly at the request of Ganassi Racing. He is still
expected to compete in the winged Sprint Car portion of the event, driving the Finley
Farms #77.
That's a real shame. I completely support Ganassi protecting their investment, but find it a bit premature to pull him after one freak accident. The same accident could have happened just as easily with a wing on top. Those wings are nothing more than light gauge aluminum.
ReplyDeleteEither way, great news that he walked away. No doubt his future appears to be bright.