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| Larson claimed a controversial win |
The Elk Grove, California driver has
previously projected a squeaky clean image. His good looks, self-effacing
attitude and prodigious talent behind the wheel have established him as NASCAR’s
newest can’t-miss prospect, but Monday night’s final lap proved he has a
tougher side, as well.
The 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series
East champion started on the outside pole and was a Top-5 driver throughout the
150-lap event. He tangled with teammate-for-a-day Ben Rhodes while battling for
the runner-up spot in the late going, doing significant cosmetic damage to the nose
of his Chevrolet. Despite some flapping body panels, he ran down leader Falk
and actually took the lead briefly with eight laps remaining, only to have Falk
regain the top spot with a textbook crossover move exiting the corner.
Falk appeared to have the race in
hand on the final lap, leading by two car lengths on the backstretch. But
Larson banzai-charged into Turn Three, bumped Falk from behind, then finished
him off with a second hard shot that sent the Virginia native spinning into the
infield.
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| Falk was left fuming after the checkers |
"I did dirty him up
there," admitted Larson afterward. "I got into him once, got into him
twice and then got him around. It's the last lap. I got a run on him and got
into the back of him… and got him around. I feel bad for him, but like I said,
I wanted to win."
Falk
finished a disappointing third after leading a race-high 61 laps on the night,
said, "I got monster trucked,” said an angry Falk afterward. He got me once and I thought I was
going to be OK, but I was wheel-spinning the whole time. Finally, he just
finished us off.”
"I don't get to do this
short-track stock car stuff very often," said Larson, who won a USAC
Midget race at nearby New Smyrna Speedway the previous night, and is schedule
for a full season of NASCAR Nationwide Series racing for Turner Scott
Motorsports this season. “Every video I've ever seen from a short track like
this, it seems the second-place guy coming out of the turn always wins. It's
the first race I've ever won in that manner, but this was a pretty big race. I
wanted to win it.”
Larson will also take part in
tonight’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events on
the 4/10-mile backstretch oval. Falk is not scheduled to compete.
About as classless as it gets. He better never complain when get gets wrecked.....EVER! He may have got the trophy last night, but he lost far more than he won.
ReplyDeleteIt's Joey Logano at Irwindale 2009 part deux. Larson gets hyped as the next big thing and he proves he won't be.
ReplyDeleteI really hope he get punted out of the way for the win tonight
ReplyDeleteIt was a lousy move and his "excuse" (if you want to call it that) is even worse. Every driver really wants to win. Some of them just want to look good doing it. Based on all the feedback I've seen, Kyle Larson didn't do himself any good with fans last night, and fans translates to SPONSORS. Not too bright.
ReplyDeleteWhat s the difference between this and Clint Boyer at Martinsville it was an opening they went for it. I'd rather have my driver go for the Win then settle for second or third place.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I didn't see any "opening." I saw Larson divebomb the corner, whack Falk out of the groove, then finish him off with a second hit. No opening, just contact.
DeleteDirty, dirty, dirty.
DeleteThat should have never been allowed to stand, now everyone will think they can do it.
for one thing Bowyer was getting pushed from behind by Ryan Newaman.For a driver with supposedly so much talent he showed none of it in winning that race.I've never raced a race in my life and I could have done that!!
ReplyDeleteHe needs an ass whippin
ReplyDeleteDo you really want NASCAR to step in and punish him?
DeleteYes he should be punished. Even the Intimidator had an excuse when he would do this. If there was an opening he went for it, sometimes ill advised, but it was there. You don't manufacture your own openings by using the car in front of you as your brakes and then, nail em again on purpose after they hang on! Falk's drive was the drive of the race, the move he put back on Larson with 8 laps to go was great, and Nascar should act to proclaim that it was the winning one, too.
DeleteThere is a precedent - Nascar took the win away from Logano a few years back at Irwindale. Unfortunately, this is another case of Nascar being oh-so-consistent in their calls.
DeleteSounds like the hype is going to his head.
ReplyDelete1st shot was ok but second shot very un fair carma will take care of him short track or not very un fair
ReplyDeleteHe didnt have the talent to pass him clean.
ReplyDeleteI agree with above comment - 1st bump was OK but the second one - not cool. What goes around will come around I believe...
ReplyDeletethat was a good race. until coming out of turn 4 on last lap
ReplyDeletethe phenom proved himself a phenomanaly dirty driver.lost my respect, and , lost a fan. I usually love the kids, Ty, and Austin,Jeb burton ect. they're our future.I hope he straightens up before he ruins his chances.
ReplyDeleteI bet a lot of the whiners on here said it was ok when Dale Earnhardt used to do the same thing and more than once. I've got to hand it to Larson. He did what it took to win. He's a winner not a whiner.
ReplyDeleteWhoever made that excuse for Earnhardt, don't lump me with them - it's why I hated him and still do.
DeleteI loved it, NASCAR built this "track" for just this type of racing. NASCAR got what they wanted, Larson got what he wanted. Big fan of Larson's here.
ReplyDeleteNo different than what dirty Dale did his whole career
ReplyDelete