Kyle Larson wins Saturday night Winter Heat Showdown sprint car feature
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year Kyle Larson went to Victory Lane Saturday night in the Winter Heat Showdown sprint car feature at Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz. The victory came on the second of a five-night series of events at the 3/8-mile dirt track.
Larson took the lead from pole sitter Aaron Reutzel after he suffered a mechanical issue. It was not smooth sailing after that, however. Larson had to battle with sprint car veterans Stevie Smith and Danny Lasoski for the victory.
@KyleLarsonRacin with the #fistpump taking the checkers on night 2 of the @CocopahShowdown at @CocopahSpeedway pic.twitter.com/DPEeRtfPnR
— Tim Aylwin (@eagleyephotos) January 4, 2015
Congrats to the wheelman himself yung money @KyleLarsonRacin on the W @CocopahShowdown last night and the whole @LarsonMarks team! #didwork
— Derek Kneeland (@SpotterDerek) January 4, 2015
Big thank you to @PlanBSales @Target and everyone else who helps out with @LarsonMarks! I'm still pumped
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) January 4, 2015
The win came in Larson's second winged sprint car start since 2013. Luckily, his new son Owen was able to watch his father score the win from the comfort of his N.C. home.
Owen got to see dad win tonight in Yuma! Matching frolic helmets must be good luck! #cocopahshowdown #winterheat pic.twitter.com/wPOZ3ux7af
— Katelyn Sweet (@Katelyn_Sweet) January 4, 2015
.@Katelyn_Sweet he doesn't look impressed. His face says "dad jumped the cushion too many times..."
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) January 4, 2015
Larson's dramatic win caught the attention of some of his NASCAR competitors, also watching the livestream of the event.
Heck of a race out at #WinterHeat congrats @KyleLarsonRacin on the win
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) January 4, 2015
Wow great race in Yuma congrats @KyleLarsonRacin !
— Brad Sweet (@BradSweet49) January 4, 2015
Nice win @KyleLarsonRacin Dudes a wild man! ? #kkwinterheat
— Kasey Kahne (@kaseykahne) January 4, 2015
Hendrick Motorsports' Kasey Kahne finished 11th in Saturday night's feature, but will take part in the rest of the week's events.
I finished 11th. Had a blast and felt way better then last night. Excited for night 3 Tuesday. #cocopahshowdown #kkwinterheat
— Kasey Kahne (@kaseykahne) January 4, 2015
This sprint car driving is really making me appreciate how good my teams and drivers are. @DarynPittman @CodyDarrah4 @BradSweet49 #badasses
— Kasey Kahne (@kaseykahne) January 4, 2015
The Winter Heat Showdown continues on Tuesday, then resumes Jan. 9-10. Larson will not compete in the weekend's races due to Rolex 24 at Daytona testing.
Check out Larson's winning drive at Cocopah Speedway in the video below: