NASCAR Sprint Cup competitor Kyle Larson returns to his roots this Sunday night at Calistoga Speedway
Calistoga, CA – April 6, 2015…For the first time since October of 2013 Elk Grove, California’s Kyle Larson is set to make a Sprint Car start in his home state, taking on the World of Outlaws Craftsmen Sprint Car Series at the Calistoga Speedway this Sunday.
The now 23-year-old driver is currently in his third year with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driving the Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 Target Chevy. He’s coming off a season best third place finish last Sunday in Martinsville going into the upcoming event at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend.
After competing in the Cup race this Saturday night he is scheduled to fly back to the Golden State for Sunday’s Wine Country Outlaw Showdown in Calistoga.
Larson hasn’t run a Sprint Car race in his home state since winning the 2013 Trophy Cup at Tulare’s Thunderbowl Raceway. He hasn’t competed at the Calistoga Speedway since September of the same year. That night he swept both ends of the USAC Sprint Car & Midget double header, in what was the finale of the annual Vermeil Classic. Despite making limited Sprint Car starts the last few years Larson did pick up a victory on night two of the Winter Heat Showdown in January at Cocopah Speedway.
Prior to climbing the ranks into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Larson captured the statewide King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series championship driving for Campbell’s Brent Kaeding, with support from local Calistoga businessman Rich Stadelhofer of Stadelhofer Construction. Although close in the past he is still looking for his first Winged Sprint Car victory at Calistoga Speedway. His most successful World of Outlaws start at the track came in 2011 when he charged from 21st to third in the feature.
“We’re really excited for the Wine Country Outlaw Showdown this Saturday & Sunday,” said Chris Morgan of Motorsports Ventures. “The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series has had a long history at the Calistoga Speedway and this weekend is shaping up great. The best Winged Sprint Car drivers in the country competing at the world’s most beautiful dirt track will certainly make for a can’t miss weekend. It’s your only chance to catch the Greatest Show on Dirt at Calistoga this year so be sure and make plans to join us.”
The 2016 season marks the third consecutive year that Calistoga Speedway plays host to a World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series double header. Last season saw Grass Valley, CA’s Brad Sweet & Fargo, ND’s Donny Schatz score victories. For Sweet it was the second consecutive year that he tasted glory at the historic track on opening night. He also goes into this weekend sitting atop the World of Outlaws standings. Schatz has claimed a series leading five main event wins so far this season and is fresh off a victory at the Mini Gold Cup in Chico last Saturday.
The main gate for spectators will open at 3pm on both Saturday & Sunday, with Will Call & the Ticket Sales Window scheduled to open at noon both days. Two-night weekend tickets and single night tickets are available by visiting http://dirtcar.ticketforce.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=163
Please note that racing during the Sunday night program is scheduled to begin an hour earlier than Saturday. Opening ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 7pm on Saturday, while Sunday will see opening ceremonies at 6pm to help get everyone on the road at a decent hour.
The Calistoga Speedway is located on the scenic Napa County Fairgrounds in Calistoga, California at 1435 North Oak Street and has been in existence since 1937. For more information on the half-mile log onto http://www.calistogaspeedway.org and for history visit Bobby Gerould’s Hammerdown USA at http://www.hammerdownusa.com/Calistogacareerwins.html
