Speed51 Open Brings Larson Back to His Childhood
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver Seeking Big Outlaw Kart Win
Salisbury, NC – Just a few days ago, Kyle Larson was riding the high banks of Dover International Speedway (DE) in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car while impressing the national audience watching from home. Getting all that he can out of a race car isn’t something new for Larson; he learned how to do that during his childhood while racing on dirt.
Next Tuesday and Wednesday, Larson will once again return to his roots and make his way to the $5,151-to-win QRC Speed51 Open at Salisbury, North Carolina’s Millbridge Speedway. Larson finished second in the race one year ago and is now seeking a win in the highest paying Outlaw Kart race ever.
While Larson doesn’t necessarily need the money, he said it would be cool to win the Speed51 Open because it’s a big Outlaw Kart race that he’s never won.
“In my past I won a lot of big Outlaw Kart races,” said Larson. “This race was never around back when I was running a lot. I don’t get to run a whole lot anymore, but this is one of the few big races I do get to run. So it would definitely be cool to win. I got close last year. I almost beat Logan Seavey for the win last year, but we’ll come back this year and try to do a little better.”
The 23-year-old driver from Elk Grove, California said part of the reason he comes to Millbridge is because it’s a local race for the driver who now calls North Carolina home, but it also has sentimental value.
“I learned how to race in these things,” he said. “That’s probably the main reason I come. I really enjoy running these karts.”
With close to 70 drivers already entered from all over the country, and it being the richest Outlaw Kart race ever, Larson said this year’s event is shaping up to be one of the coolest Outlaw Kart races he’s ever run.
“We’re in NASCAR country with the Coke 600 running later that weekend, so a lot of people stop by and check it out,” he said. “Some great Outlaw drivers come in and run. There’s a lot of people that come from way out west and the Midwest too. Even people from Canada, so you get a well diverse group of people racing.”
Race fans can watch Kyle Larson race in the QRC Speed51 Open live on Speed51 TV by purchasing here: http://speed51.com/51livetv-events/
Racing kicks off at the Speed51 Open on Tuesday, May 24 with open practice and qualifying for the Open Division. Support classes including the Beginner Box Stocks, Box Stocks and Intermediate Class will run group qualifying and features only that night. Speed51.com will carry a live PPV video stream of these events.
Following the conclusion of the on-track action there will be an after-party featuring a live band.
Wednesday night’s schedule includes only the Open Division for the Outlaw Karts. Heat races are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and will be lined up based upon Tuesday night’s time trial results. The top-four finishers in each heat race will be inverted with the winner going to the dash, second going to the A-Main and third on back going to the B, C and D Mains.
The Dash will be eight laps and the drivers will line up based upon the “revenge draw,” which allows drivers to draw for starting position and then assign that positon to another driver.
Following the Dash, B-Main, C-Main and D-Main features, the field will be set and the Outlaw Kart racers will buckle in to battle for the $5,151 top prize.
If you would like to be part of one of the rising forms of racing in the US, contact QRC Factory Karts through its website at www.qrckarts.com. JGR MX has all the latest products and parts for the Motocross industry; visit their website at www.jgrmx.com.
For more information on Millbridge Speedway, visit www.millbridgespeedway.com.
Sources: 51 Sports/Millbridge Speedway PR