Kyle Larson celebrates in Victory Lane at the Daytona short track Feb 18, 2013
Photo – Jared C Tilton/Getty Images
NASCAR Next 9 Driver Wins First-Ever Race at Daytona; Slated To Run Five Races During Budweiser Speedweeks
Kyle Larson overtook C.E. Falk III coming out of Turn 4 on the final lap to capture the NASCAR Whelen All-American race, the inaugural event in the UNOH Battle At The Beach at Daytona International Speedway on Monday night.
Larson hit the back of Falk’s car on the white flag lap in a controversial move to earn the race win. Ben Rhodes took second place while Falk recovered quickly after spinning out to take third slot.
“This is a pretty big race and I wanted to be the first to win it,” Larson said.
Falk and Larson battled during the later stages of the race with Larson overtaking Falk in Turn 3 on lap 141. Falk regained the top spot on Lap 142 and held it until the rush for the checkered flag when the two cars made contact.
“I think I got monster trucked at the end,” Falk said.
The 150-lap race, which featured 29 drivers from 12 different U.S. states, saw nine caution flags.
Larson, who is running in all three races in the two-day UNOH Battle At The Beach, finished second in last Saturday’s Lucas Oil 200 Presented By MAVTV American Real ARCA Racing Series race. The Elk Grove, Calif. native will also compete in a fifth race in Saturday afternoon’s NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300.
“I’m looking forward to those two,” Larson said referring to Tuesday night’s events.
The 20-year-old Larson is part of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program, which features up-and-coming drivers.
Racing action will continue Daytona International Speedway on Tuesday night with the UNOH Battle At The Beach. The .4-mile short track built on the backstretch hosts the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Race (150 laps, 60 miles) race at 7:15 p.m. ET, followed by the K&N Pro Series Race at 8:30. Both contests will be 150 laps and 60 miles.
Tickets are available online at http://www.
Fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter (@NASCAR) and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtags #NASCAR and #DAYTONA500 and #NASCARBattle. In addition, fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter,Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest for all the latest news all season long.
