Placerville, CA – November 18, 2023
In a dazzling display of midget racing prowess, Kyle Larson marked his first midget start of the season with a resounding victory at the Hangtown 100 opener on Friday night at Placerville Speedway.
Behind the wheel of his Kyle Larson HendrickCars Larson showcased his skill, maneuvering from a sixth-starting position to seize the lead just six laps into the feature. Navigating through heavy traffic with finesse, he secured a non-stop, green-to-checker 30-lap main event victory in an impressive six minutes and 14.69 seconds.
“It’s been a couple of years since I’ve won a midget race. I’ve run 10 or 12 midget races over the last couple of years, and that’s probably the longest I’ve gone without winning a midget race,”
Larson shared after the race.
Driving a decade-old Eagle chassis, Larson’s win marked his 26th in his USAC National Midget career, surpassing racing luminaries Darren Hagen, Parnelli Jones, and Dave Strickland for the 17th spot on the all-time list.
Despite facing three rain delays throughout the evening, Larson’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. Starting from the sixth position, he swiftly made his way to the front, passing competitors with precision. Larson’s ability to navigate traffic and maintain a torrid pace ultimately secured his victory.
Reflecting on the race, Larson stated,
“I felt like I was putting together good laps. You just don’t know for sure when you get stuck like that.”
The victory was not only a testament to Larson’s racing prowess but also highlighted the exceptional handling of the Eagle chassis, a marked improvement from previous years. Larson acknowledged the challenges faced with the same chassis a couple of years ago, making this victory particularly sweet.
“To come out and be that much better than the field feels really great,”
Larson expressed. The Hangtown 100 continues to be a marquee event, and Larson’s dominant performance sets the stage for an exciting weekend of midget racing.
