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| Justin Larson is still the "Redheaded Wonder" | By Bill Green, FromBehindTheMIC!
Last Saturday night the Goodyear Challenge Series visited DeSoto Super Speedway for a 200-lap limited late model event. Safety Harbor’s Justin Larson, 18, came into the event with one victory and three top-fives in the first six races. The talented redhead, has made thousands of laps in everything from a go-kart to a mini-stock to get to the late model class he currently runs, but his natural talent and driving instincts are what have started to set him apart.
Having a family deep rooted in local racing always helps a good young talented driver grow, but Justin Larson, was driven that little bit harder by his older sister, Ashley. He wanted to accomplish what she had - in different classes - as they grew through the WKA ranks. She was the level headed “Thinker” driver. Calculating her moves, while younger brother Justin sometimes relied solely on instincts.
Now 18 and exploding into the Late Model racing scene, Justin Larson is proving he is the real deal and the media and the sponsors are starting to really believe what they are seeing.
What they are seeing is years of preparation for where Justin wants to go, NASCAR. To get there you must standout. After seven National Championships and 10 Grand National Championships in his World Karting Association (WKA) career stats, the “Redheaded Wonder“ as he is fondly known for that seemingly seventh driving sense, does stands out. Currently driving the - Skinner Nurseries - number 88, Justin Larson could be riding a wave that will take him into the top professional stock car driving series.
In 2006 the “Redheaded Wonder” moved to the Limited Late Model ranks of central Florida’s asphalt tracks. In his 12 FASCAR Goodyear Challenge Series starts in 2006, he accumulated 4 top fives, 8 top tens, 4 Top Rookie finish honors, 2 Hard Charger Awards and finished sixth in the final 2006 points Championship.
Currently in his sophomore year with the Goodyear Series, Larson added to his top five totals as he finished third behind veteran Joe Winchell of Davie and race winner Doug Moff of Ft. Myers. Justin ran all 100 laps in third, but on second place Winchell’s back bumper.
“Joe and I had gotten together at Bronson earlier in the year and I wasn't going to press the issue,” stated Justin with a new found patients in his eyes. “I just wanted to stay clean on him to prove that I wasn't going to be the bad guy.”
The next outing for the Goodyear Challenge series will be Columbia Motorsports Park in Lake City on June 9. If you've never seen Columbia’s asphalt, take this opportunity to see it and some of the greatest up and coming drivers in Florida’s late model ranks. Visit FasCarTours.com for more info on any of the six traveling series under the FASCAR sanction.
OTHER AREA RACING NEWS:
*USA International Speedway in Lakeland will hold round one of it’s annual Triple Crown Series of races sponsored by Guaranteed Concrete & Layout, INC this weekend. Fans will see the Sunbelt Super Late Models top the program as Catch 47 presents the Bright House 200 lap feature event. Also in action will be a FASCAR Pro Trucks 50 lap A-Main. Reserved seating is $30 and available by calling 1-800-984-RACE(7223).
* Several TBARA Sprint teams ventured north to Anderson, Indiana for the Little 500 test of stamina this week. That’s where 33 winged sprints line up 3 abreast in 11 rows and go 500 laps on the super-high banks of the ¼ mile asphalt track. Tampa’s own Troy DeCaire, 21 of Land-O-Lakes started eighteenth and finished eighth , to be the highest finishing Florida driver at the event. DeCaire won an added $250 Tribute Award in honor of Florida legend Frank Riddle.
Also grabbing an award was Bushnell’s Stan Butler. He finished tenth, but was voted by his fellow racers as winner of the Robbie Stanley Sportsman’s Attitude Award, worth an extra $1000. Other interesting news included Stan’s son Keith Butler qualifying a northern car for a driverless team on day two of qualifying. He not only set fast time for the second and final day of qualifying, but it was 7th fastest over all 33 qualifier.
* Auburndale Motor Speedway will hold it’s Grand Re-Opening Ceremonies under the new management this Saturday Night. In action will be Sportsman, Modified Minis, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Scramblers, Pro-Scramblers, Road Warriors and the 10 to 16 year olds of the Kids Club. Lots of special events are happening under the Grandstands. Give AMS a call at 863-551-1131 for more info.
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