Larson to nascar
 

Staff

Kyle Larson, seen here in Chili Bowl victory lane after winning his preliminary race in January, will run the full NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule for Turner Scott Motorsports in 2013. (Frank Smith Photo)
CONCORD, N.C. – Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates confirmed today that Kyle Larson, the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion will contest the full NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule in 2013.

Larson, the 20-year-old driver from Elk Grove, Calif., will attempt to make his series debut behind the wheel of the No. 32 Clorox Chevy Camaro fielded by Turner Scott Motorsports during Daytona Speedweeks in the DRIVE4COPD 300 NNS race on Feb. 23.

“We are pleased we were able to get Kyle in a quality, full-time ride for the 2013 Nationwide season,” said Earnhardt Ganassi Racing team co-owner Chip Ganassi. “Turner Scott Motorsports runs a quality Truck and Nationwide program and Kyle is one of the true young talents in racing. We think it will be a good fit for both of them. We believe Kyle has a bright future ahead of him in NASCAR.”

The EGR development driver turned heads in NASCAR competition in 2012 when he won the NKNPSE Championship in his first year of driving stock cars. Larson, who is of Japanese-American descent, also claimed the first series championship for one of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program drivers.

“Kyle has already proven in a very short amount of time that he is a very talented driver and we’re very excited to have him on board at Turner Scott Motorsports,” said Harry Scott, Turner Scott Motorsports co-owner. “He did a fantastic job in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events he drove for us last season, so we are thrilled to be a part of the next step in his career and to see his talent develop while at the wheel of the No. 32 Chevrolet Camaro this season.”

Larson will have a big week in his Daytona Int’l Speedway debut. Before attempting to run in the Nationwide race Larson will first compete in the Daytona ARCA race and will also participate in the UNOH Battle at the Beach held on a temporary 0.4-mile short track on Daytona’s Backstretch, that will feature three non-points special events from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tours and the Late Model division of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

“This is truly one of the happiest days of my life,” said Larson. “I have been thinking about something like this since my very first days of racing. I am very proud to be part of Chip Ganassi’s organization and to be running with Turner Scott Motorsports. Daytona cannot come fast enough for me.”

Re: Larson to nascar
 

As much as I would rather see him on dirt for the entire year, I'm glad he's moving up. Guess I'll be watching a lot more NAPCAR this year.

Who knew? I hate it but happy for him. Unfortunately, I will probably end up watching a NASCAR race or two now

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Re: Larson to nascar
 

Talent over money every now and then

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Too bad no one at IndyCar was smart enough to see the talent they could have added to their series.

Re: Larson to nascar
 

Good luck to kyle. I have never seen this kid races and it makes me wonder if i ever will. Hopefully he will bring some of that nascar money back to open wheel in the way of being a car owner in usac, outlaws or both.

Re: Larson to nascar
 

Originally Posted by davidm:
Too bad no one at IndyCar was smart enough to see the talent they could have added to their series.

It was a honor for all of us to witness this young talent driving the dirt bullrings around the country. The rest of the country ( nascar fans ) has no idea how much rare talent this young man has, it was a great ride while it lasted watching him run non-wing sprints and midgets.I to only wish Indy Car was his future. Good luck Kyle we will be following your run to the top talent in any form of racing.

Ganassi was

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Re: Larson to nascar
 

Good luck to this young man. I sincerely hope he isn't being moved along too quickly and he breaks every record in the books.

Like many here I've been enjoying races for a long time. Even so, I haven't asked for an autograph in 25 years or more but I got Kyle's while he and his car were on the front stretch at Perris prior to Turkey Night proceedings this past Thanksgiving. Told him this might be the last chance to do so and it looks like a pretty good chance that may be the case.

Regardless what transpires from this point on in his career it was a rare pleasure and privilege to witness this kid dominate on The Mile at Du Quoin and the masterpiece of smart driving in winning the Turkey Night Grand Prix.

Re: Larson to nascar
 

Originally Posted by davidm:
Too bad no one at IndyCar was smart enough to see the talent they could have added to their series.

This is just more proof that the powers that be in IndyCar racing are incredibly stupid.

Re: Larson to nascar
 

Let me write only 1 line about this "kid". The very FIRST time he ever saw Eldora Speedway...he won all 3 of the open wheel features at the USAC 4 Crown event!
You knew from there, this IS a talent to watch. We were lucky to have him in the midwest for as long as we did. bob.

Re: Larson to nascar
 

just what we need another taxi cab driver :7:

Doesn't really matter, he's banned from racing sprint cars anyhow (at least non wing). I hate NASCAR, but at least he'll get paid to drive; Unlike Indycar.

Best wishes! Hopefully he comes back after his career in the other sport is over.

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Re: Larson to nascar
 

Here's what he posted on Twitter a little earlier:

"To everyone... Don't be upset I'll still be running dirt open wheel when I can."

So he'll still be around, just not as much.

Jerry

Re: Larson to nascar
 

I've seen Kyle win on quarters, halfs, and miles, and everything in between. Seems to me the Indy guys need to learn a thing or two. They won't though.

As I've said before, and this proves it in this thread, give us a guy we can watch locally, and we'll watch him when he moves up. NASCRAP learned this a long time ago. The Indy guys still haven't learned a thing.

Re: Larson to nascar
 

Bingo

Re: Larson to nascar
 

Originally Posted by davidm:
Too bad no one at IndyCar was smart enough to see the talent they could have added to their series.

IndyCar did not miss anything. Last I checked the Ganassi in Ganassi-Earnhardt racing is the same Ganassi who runs one of the best Indy teams. Face the facts, NASCAR is where the money is, where the prestige is, and where the publicity is. I have never heard Kyle Larson express any interest in IndyCar but he apparently is excited to be in NASCAR. Like it or not for a long time the best young drivers have desired to get into NASCAR not IndyCar.

Re: Larson to nascar
 

IMO- This kid is gone for good, he may come back someday like Tony has, but his future is $$$$$$
There won't be any bad economy, bad baggage, excuses here. Would not surprise me at all to see a top 3 pts. finish this year, "The Ship" in 2014, and on to Cup in 2015. :8:

I have no doubt kyle Larson will pick up a few wins this year! This kid is gonna be the next big thing in NASCAR and I have no doubts he will have his own race team in sprint cars soon. He earned it and he deserves it. Ill be buying my kyle Larson nationwide shirt soon can't wait!

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Cool now he can go drive in circles for hours and then race for ten minutes. His elbows and nuckles are going to get some rest

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Re: Larson to nascar
 

RT@Jenna Fryer ‏@JennaFryer
I think I just heard @KyleLarsonRacin say he wants to do the double. #NASCAR #IndyCar

Re: Larson to nascar
 

Originally Posted by Vukie:
RT@Jenna Fryer ‏@JennaFryer
I think I just heard @KyleLarsonRacin say he wants to do the double. #NASCAR #IndyCar

I know fendered, pavement racing in Florida is of little concern to most.

To me it's really cool that Kyle is racing an ARCA car, a Nationwide car, a K&N car, a late model and a Whelen modified just at Daytona.

Obviously it would be nice to see him race a few more times before the month is over on some dirt or in a sprint car.

Re: Larson to nascar
 

Maybe we can get somebody to talk Smoke into letting him run his Outlaw car at Volusia while he's down there. Saw on Twitter he's got his seat with him! :22::44:

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Here's an interview from Speed.http://www.speedtv.com/video/nascar/...-2159127913001


The "UNOH Battle at the Beach from Daytona International Speedway" is on Speed on Monday night at 7:00-8:30 and on Tuesday from 7:00-10:00, this is the temporary 4/10 mile track on the backstretch, I am assuming it is gonna be like one of those flat half pit road style tracks that are at Atlanta and Charlotte already. Larson is running both nights.

The heat races are also gonna be streamed throughout the day http://www.daytonainternationalspeed...-for-UNOH.aspx

*disclaimer - not intended to appear as a commercial for Speed. I am sure there will be plenty of Danica on during the commercials, if thats your deal.

Re: Larson to nascar
 

Originally Posted by apexonephoto:
Here's an interview from Speed.http://www.speedtv.com/video/nascar/...-2159127913001


The "UNOH Battle at the Beach from Daytona International Speedway" is on Speed on Monday night at 7:00-8:30 and on Tuesday from 7:00-10:00, this is the temporary 4/10 mile track on the backstretch, I am assuming it is gonna be like one of those flat half pit road style tracks that are at Atlanta and Charlotte already. Larson is running both nights.

The heat races are also gonna be streamed throughout the day http://www.daytonainternationalspeed...-for-UNOH.aspx

*disclaimer - not intended to appear as a commercial for Speed. I am sure there will be plenty of Danica on during the commercials, if thats your deal.

James,

I just hope to see some racing in between the lastest Ricky Bobby/Danica romance sightings. If ole doofus DW is one of the announcers, he will be slobbering all over himself about Danica. Listening to him, she has reinvented NASCAR racing and will be the next one to challenge for multiple Sprint Cup championships.:15:

Re: Larson to nascar
 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Racing phenom Kyle Larson of Elk Grove, Calif. is planning to compete in Sunday’s USAC National Midget race at the New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Fla.

It’ll be part of a busy week of activity for the 21-year-old who has compiled 10 USAC National Midget victories in his first two seasons.

Larson will pilot one of four RW Motorsports entries in Sunday’s event, the first of two at the half-mile Smyrna oval which also hosts Monday USAC Midget racing. He’ll join teammates Bobby Santos III, Dave Steele, Ross Rankine and Kyle O’Gara in the New Smyrna program, the first ever for USAC at the oval.

Larson plans to compete in Saturday’s ARCA Racing Series race at Daytona Int’l Speedway and in Monday and Tuesday’s “Battle at the Beach” stock car and modified events on Daytona’s backstretch. He’ll return to Daytona the following Saturday for his NASCAR Nationwide debut.

Larson captured last year’s “Turkey Night Grand Prix” USAC Midget finale at Perris, Calif., and added wins at Rossburg, Ohio, Pontoon Beach, Ill., Peoria, Ariz., Kokomo, Ind., and Dodge City, Kans.

A revised format for USAC’s 2012 pavement midget events will greet New Smyrna participants. Two “scrambles” will follow qualifications, with positions in the scrambles determining feature starting positions.

The fastest qualifier will spin a specially-designed Oakley Invert Wheel which will determine the inversion number for the scrambles. The scramble winners will then share the front row for the feature event.

USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year Kyle Hamilton of Danville, Ind., is also expected to compete at New Smyrna, in his debut for car owner Shane Hmiel. Among Hamilton’s resume is a victory in the Alex Pruett Memorial race which honored the son of Steve Pruett, who owns Three Wide Life, Hmiel’s sponsor.

This should be a busy week for Kyle, Hope he does well..

Re: Larson to nascar
 

Kyle starts 11th today in the Arca car. Good luck Kyle.. Live on Speed 3:30

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They should've put him right in a cup car and skipped nationwide. He's the best young driver I've seen since Tony Stewart, and possibly better. I argue that he's even better than Stewart or Gordon was. I'd sure love to see him run Du Quoin again on a tacky track, that was as good as it gets!

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How will he handle the super speedway? Any thoughts?

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Originally Posted by ThrowbackRacingTeam:
They should've put him right in a cup car and skipped nationwide. He's the best young driver I've seen since Tony Stewart, and possibly better. I argue that he's even better than Stewart or Gordon was. I'd sure love to see him run Du Quoin again on a tacky track, that was as good as it gets!

We've seen this movie before. Put a real good driver into Cup too soon. Kyle's career is moving at the speed of light as it is and being thrown into the Cup briarpatch where he will feel he has to show his talents, and then have something happen like with Dillon in that truck race late last year and take out some other Cup cars would do his career more harm than good. Let him race the full year in Nationwide and let him feel comfortable where he's at. He'll be in Cup soon enough. My two cents. :32:

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I think he is ready for whatever he decides to do, this kid is the next super star. I only watch door racing to see Cole W. Chad B. J.J. Chris W. Brian C. and the other young open wheelers that have moved to the cup cars.
I am very proud of Kyle and the rest of the open wheelers that are on tv now. Kyle is running 3rd and looking good, they need to tell the guy talking that it is Boat not Boot.:14:

Jerry #66j
stida.com/Half Moon

Re: Larson to nascar
 

2nd to the chicken man!