Bryan Hulbert - Knoxville, Iowa (August 8, 2012) Kyle Larson has already proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that he is among the best drivers in the nation. Putting an exclamation point on his young career the Elk Grove, California racer grabbed the rain delayed opening night win of the 52nd Goodyear Knoxville Nationals.
“We were really good in clean air there. It’s such a big deal and we’ve never really been out front like that in clean air and the car was really operating once I got out front” commented Larson in victory lane.
Asked about the race in general Larson replied, “Those restarts were getting me kind of nervous. I could see the 15 inching up on the board every time. I didn’t like that but I just had to make sure I got a clean restart and got through one and two nice and make sure I didn’t blow a left rear tire cause I was worried about that a lot.”
Taking off third, the Abreu Vineyard No. 1k would settle in behind Jason Sides, Randy Hannagan, and early leader Davey Heskin. Holding off several challenges from Brian Paulus, Larson would focus his attention on Jason Sides.
Running away at the front of the field, the back of the field was in sight by lap seventeen as Heskin tempted fate with daring three wide passes. Holding a fair amount of breathing room, the Deluxe Crates No. 56 continued his march around the back markers as the battle on track turned to fifth.
In pursuit of Brian Paulus, four time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz would work low on the Tear-Off Appeal No. 28 with Paulus able to hold on to the fifth spot.
Coming around to complete lap twelve, the caution would fly as the No. 02 of Mike Reinke slowed to a stop on the high side of turn four. As the caution flew for Reinke, a puff of smoke and flash of flames would send the No. 1x of Randy Hannagan out of the runner up spot and into the pits. Hannagan would be joined by Kerry Madsen as both drivers saw engines expiring. Reinke would be scored twenty-fourth with Madsen twenty-third, and Hannagan twenty-second.
Retaking the green Davey Heskin would see the top spot taken away as Jason Sides pulled off the slide job in turns one and two. With Sides pulling to an immediate advantage, Kyle Larson worked by Heskin for the runner up spot.
Working to complete lap fourteen, Jason Sides would see his night come an abrupt end as the left-rear tire exploded midway thought turns one and two, whipping Sides around before sending the Wetherington Tractor Service No. 7s flipping.
Able to restart after a visit to the work area, Sides would ultimately see his night end two laps later; coming to a stop inside turns three and four. Jason would be scored twentieth.
Assuming the race lead, Larson would be trailed by Heskin, Paulus, Schatz, and Lucas Wolfe with four laps to run. Taking away second on the restart, Paulus would begin reeling in Larson until mechanical problems saw the No. 28 slowing and the caution waving with one lap to run.
Taking the green for the final time, Kyle Larson would go unchallenged for the preliminary night victory with Davey Heskin holding off several late race charges from Donny Schatz for second. Racing into the nights feature from the B-Main, Craig Dollansky would finish an impressive fourth with Lucas Wolfe round out the top five. Brooke Tatnell finished sixth with Shane Stewart, who also transferred from the B-Main, taking seventh. Joey Saldana was eighth with Dustin Selvage and Jonathan Allard making up the top ten.
Racing continues at the 52nd Goodyear Knoxville Nationals Thursday with hot laps and qualifying scheduled to begin at 7:15pm. For more information on the 52nd Goodyear Knoxville Nationals and Knoxville Raceway log onto www.knoxvilleraceway.com.
52nd annual Goodyear Knoxville Nationals Points Standings (After Night 1)
- Craig Dollansky, 477
- Jonathan Allard, 475
- Donny Schatz, 471
- Joey Saldana, 471
- Lucas Wolfe, 467
- Kyle Larson, 458
- Shane Stewart, 458
- Paul McMahan, 453
- Davey Heskin, 449
- Brian Paulus, 440
- Brooke Tatnell, 430
- Dustin Selvage, 430
- Jason Sides, 424
- Justin Henderson, 416
- Kerry Madsen, 412
- Randy Hannagan, 411
- Austin McCarl, 409
- David Gravel, 409.
- Jeff Swindell, 407
- A.J. Moeller, 406.
- Don Droud Jr., 403
- Fred Rahmer, 403
- Chad Kemenah, 399
- Ed Lynch Jr., 396
- Lee Sowell, 396
- Steve Kinser, 396
27, Glen Saville, 390
- Ryan Bunton, 388
- Sam Hafertepe Jr., 386
- Casey Mack, 379
- Mike Reinke, 373
- Dustin Morgan, 365
- Danny Holtgraver, 360
- Lynton Jeffrey, 360
- Brad Sweet, 358
- Brady Bacon, 357
- Kevin Swindell, 355
- Seth Brahmer, 355
- Jac Haudenschild, 320
- Rager Phillips, 316
- Trevor Reynolds, 314
- Jarrod Schneiderman, 312
- Austin Johnson, 310
- Danny Smith, 300
- Kevin Ingle, 291
- Ron Krysl, 289
- Critter Malone, 280
- Cap Henry, 265.
- Admin Account on Aug 09, 2012
- Article Date: 8/9/2012 by Bryan Hulbert