The Justin Larson Racing, Inc. team is back home after a ten day trip to the world famous New Smyrna Speedway for Speedweeks 2009.
The Justin Larson Racing, Inc. team is back home after a ten day trip to the world famous New Smyrna Speedway for Speedweeks 2009. After lending a helping hand to Crate Late Model Rookie Matt Cohen throughout the week and driving a Late Model out of the Jessica Murphy stable, Justin piloted his own Super Late Model equipment in Thursday’s 50 Lap event, as well as the Pete Orr Memorial 100 on Saturday.
Justin would qualify 6th out of 24 cars taking time for Thursday night’s event. After the field inversion, Larson would line up on the outside pole next to veteran racer Jeff Scofield. While running in the 4th position on lap 36, contact was made between the #88 machine and a lapped car in turns one and two. As Larson drove down into turns three and four, the car snapped loose and spun around and it appeared as if something had broken on the car. With all cars being able to dodge Justin’s car, he pulled down pit road with a flat left rear tire. The crew would put a new tire on and he would regain competition at the rear of the field.
After the crew made better evaluation of the tire, it was apparent that when contact was made between the #88 car and the lapped car, the valve stem was ripped right out of the rim causing an immediate flat tire. It was unfortunate that the Justin Larson Racing, Inc. team couldn’t bring home a top five, however Larson did finish 10th for the night.
Later that night, Justin would drive Jessica Murphy’s backup car one last time in the Late Model 50 lap feature event. Larson qualified 3rd out of 12 cars. He would end up finishing 5th in what was cut down to a 30 lap race due to low car count.
After three rounds of practice for the Super Late Models, it was time to qualify for the Pete Orr Memorial 100. Justin would qualify 13th out of 32 cars. Starting out of the top ten, Larson was hoping for some better luck than what he had on Thursday night. He was looking for so much luck that the team decided it was only suitable to sprinkle the inside of the cockpit with Lucky Charms and then set the box on top of the car until it was time to head to the grid. With threats of rain in the area, the Pete Orr Memorial 100 was moved up to be the second event of the night. Final preparations were made to the #88 machine and it was time to hit the track.
Not making the cut for the inversion, Larson was guaranteed to start 13th on the field. On lap 8 the caution would come out and Justin had already made his way up into the 9th position. At this point, there were reports of rain on speedway property but it wasn’t raining on the track itself.
The green would fly again until lap 28 when the caution would come out. Unfortunately this time it was for Justin Larson who would again become victim to a lapped car not staying out of the way. The #88 got tagged in the left rear tire and spun to rest up against the wall in turns one and two. With little time before the field would be back to green, Larson made a smart move and came down pit road going the wrong direction. The Justin Larson Racing, Inc. team would look over the car which received only minor damage and sent him out the right direction down pit road to fall in behind the last car on the lead lap.
Justin and crew chief Rick Knecht both still had faith in the racecar and knew they could finish the night with a top ten. Larson would drive his way through traffic and was able to bring home a tough 8th place finish.
Repairs are underway in the Justin Larson Racing, Inc. shop to the #88 Super Late Model. The team will try their luck on February 28th at Desoto Super Speedway for the first race of the ASA Southeast Asphalt Series sponsored by RC Cola and Moon Pie. After that it will be time for the first race of the ASA Late Model Series South Division at Charlotte County Motorsports Park in Punta Gorda, FL on March 14th. It is in the ASA Late Model Series South Division where Larson finished 3rd overall in points and brought home the Rookie of the Year title for 2008. This year he looks to better his achievements and be crowned a CHAMPION.
For more information about Justin Larson Racing, contact us.