Kyle Larson wins at the Rock

Kyle Larson in Victory Lane
Photo Credit: Genevieve

Kyle Larson dominated the second annual North Carolina Education Lottery Camping World Truck race at Rockingham Speedway. This was Larson’s first win in the national series, and it was in a truck for Turner Scott Motorsports.  He won NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series East title in November 2012.

  

 Larson started the race in third position, quickly took the lead, and held it for a total of 187 laps. The other leaders were James Buescher for 17 laps, and Johnny Sauter for one lap. The race was extended by five laps because of the green-white-checkered finish.

The 20 year-old California native is a Drive for Diversity graduate, and admits to not doing well with re-starts. In the final laps, he knew Joey Logano was coming from behind with fresher tires. He admitted to being nervous because “I’m not normally the best on re-starts.”

Many NASCAR fans, and writers have expressed their opinion on Sprint Cup drivers racing alongside rookies, and the younger class of drivers- Larson expressed his approval by telling press in a post race conference that he is “thankful to beat a guy like Logano, (for) my first win.”

Logano finished second, Brendon Gaughan finished third.

Post race interview
Photo Credit: Genevieve

Pole sitter Jeb Burton didn't get a chance to lead a lap, he fell back and maintained a top ten position until the checkered flag-  he crossed the finish line in seventh position. Burton was the highest finishing rookie.

In 2008, Logano won the Arca Series race from the pole at Rockingham, today was his first truck race at “The Rock.”  His Penske teammate Brad Keselowski asked him at the ‘last minute’ to race in a truck for Brad Keselowski Racing-  Logano is always willing to get into anything to race, and agreed to pilot the No. 19 Carbon Forged Reese Towpower Ford.

Logano fell as far back as 18^th , but quickly moved up to second in the final ten laps.  Tension built as Larson held on to the lead but Logano came up behind him like jaws underwater... and then caution! With three laps left, three accidents took place at the same time.

First, Tyler Young slaps the wall in turn three. 

Second, Timothy Peters and Ryan Sieg collide, damaging Peter's truck.

Third, Ron Hornaday taps Darrell Wallace Jr. In the rear and puts him hard into the wall, and Wallace's truck was severely damaged.  Hornaday was sent to the rear of the field for aggressive driving – but managed a 15^th place finish.

On the final re-start, Larson took control of the lead as soon as the green flag dropped. He held a four car length between his-self and Logano, but in the final backstretch, Logano caught up and stayed close to the No. 20 Chevy. It was a close finish, but Larson crossed the finish line first. 

Johnny Sauter finished fourth, and now leads the series points standings by 16 points over Jeb Burton- whom started on the pole and finished seventh, and is the highest finishing rookie of the day.

Larson in the lead
Photo Credit: Genevieve

NASCAR Truck Series returns to 'The Rock'

Photo Credit: Genevieve Cadorette

NASCAR's Camping World Truck series will be returning to the famous Rockingham Speedway track for the North Carolina Education Lottery 200, presented by Cheerwine, this April 13th, 2013. Last year, Kasey Kahne won the opening race at the track, and the tradition to have your name engraved in 'The Rock' continued.

The second event at the Speedway is planned to be bigger and more exciting. President of the track, Andy Hillenburg has been planning for this year's race since last April. 
The City of Rockingham has been supportive and will be hosting 'Thunderfest,'  a street festival hosted by the City of Rockingham, and Rockingham Speedway. The events starts at 11 a.m. and runs until 10 p.m. on Friday, April 12.  and will feature race-themed attractions, vendors, a kids zone sponsored by Richmond County, a mechanical bull and local band. 

On Saturday,  a three band concert will be held for free for fans who have a ticket to Saturday and Sunday's race.

The lineup is scheduled as follows:

Kernersville, N.C.-based Chris Lane Band will take the stage at 6 p.m. following the UARA and Frank Kimmel Street Stock Nationals races. Ty Brown will follow at approximately 7:40 p.m. Headliner Hoss Howard Band will perform at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Practice will be held on Saturday, and qualifying for the event is scheduled for early Sunday morning. Tickets are now available at www.rockinghamspeedway.com, or by calling 910-205-8800.  General admission if bought in advance for Saturday are $15, and $20 at the gate. Sunday's tickets start at $20. 

Kasey Kahne with winners trophy
Photo taken by Genevieve