Updated: Larson Sweeps The Pocono Poles AND Scores A Track Record

"31ModelA" (car) 08/02/2014 at 16:03 • Filed to: larson, truck, nascar, sprintcup, go hard

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If there are still any of those who doubt the talent of Kyle " !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! " Larson, then they should probably tune in this weekend on Sunday ( Camping World Truck Series going on right now! ) to see what he can accomplish at Pocono.

The kid racked up two poles this weekend (both career firsts in the respective series), and topped the Tricky Triangle track speed record in his Sprint Cup car on Friday, clocking in at 183.438 mph!!! (As the announcers exclaimed, I didn't even know you could go that fast!)

Photo Credit: some old guy

The truck race delivered all the excitement that truck race enthusiasts tout, including a wild retribution double-down as Reddick targeted two trucks on (almost) the last lap and couple of late restarts led to an exciting up-front shuffle of the leaders. ( Hey Reddick, enjoy that personal invitation to the NASCAR hauler after the race! )

Unfortunately for the Cartwheel 32, undiagnosed electrical issues spoiled the day from about the mid-point onward. And while down didn't necessarily mean out , the checkered flag eventually dropped on a P1 for Dillon (after an excellent restart), and a disappointing P18 for Kyle. Larson absolutely had the truck to beat, though, as he burned up the trio of corners at Pocono, and post-race interviews were rich with acknowledgments of this fact.

So, a correction is in order for Dillon's post-race interview wherein he said they "overcame" the 32 of Kyle Larson. You did not "overcome" Larson's 32. The 32 truck broke down. You overcame Larson about as much as someone overcomes a sprained ankle by amputating their whole leg. Just...no. Now, moving on.

Tomorrow is another day, another car, and another race for this year's hottest Sprint Cup Rookie, so let's see what Kyle Larson can do with this pole position and obviously well-sorted car.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > 31ModelA 08/02/2014 at 13:48

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I wanted to go down Sunday but what ever I'm still going to Watkins Glen next weekend for NASCAR.

ly2v8-Brian > 31ModelA 08/02/2014 at 17:11

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He sure seems like someone to pay attention to moving forward.

31ModelA > ly2v8-Brian 08/02/2014 at 17:54

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It's true. So often on this site I hear about this and that new rally or F1 driver, or drifter. But here we have an enormously talented racing driver that seems to go unnoticed on account of the series he drives in. And it's all down to a misunderstanding of the series - the idea that "well, I could do that".

Weigh it a couple of ways. First: no you couldn't just "do that". But getting this point across requires getting someone to the race to see how fast these cars are actually moving. It's mind boggling to think that these are naturally aspirated V8s gushing with 800+ horsepower to the rear wheels and they're meant to look like typical sedans and, oh yeah, they will top out at more than 200 mph. I took a lap of Talladega in a Ford Focus at 120, and even that was enough to be exciting. Imagine almost 100 mph faster than that, and you're talking about needing new pants.

The other way to weigh the disparity in the interest, though, is to look at the talent of some of the drivers. And this is where Kyle really shines. This kid came from racing sprint cars on dirt, still races ARCA, Karts when he has the time, can race the wheels off of truck (sometimes almost literally...Eldora), and is well within contention for the Chase. And he's accomplished all but the FIRST thing in just about the last two years. These are series that share almost nothing in common other than going extremely fast on the absolute bleeding edge of grip, and this kid has basically mastered them all....and he's still getting better.

There's a lot I could say about NASCAR that I wouldn't have said a year ago, and while I know that there isn't one racer that will magically broaden the viewership of the sport, I do hope that people take notice and are appropriately amazed at how talented Kyle Larson is for his age and his Cup experience, and maybe decide to tune in for a few more races than they would have before to see just how he manages that talent going forward.

Long story short: Larson is someone to watch? Yeah, I think so.

31ModelA > ly2v8-Brian 08/02/2014 at 18:21

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(I think I got Kinja'd on my comment....not sure, so here it is again in edited form)

It's true. So often on this site I encounter true auto and racing enthusiasts and I also hear about this and that new rally or F1 driver, or drifter. But here we have an enormously talented racing driver that seems to go unnoticed all on account of the series he drives in - NASCAR. I believe it's all down to a misunderstanding of the series - the idea that "well, I could do that so why should I be impressed", or "it's boring watching cars go in a circle". The point is, there is disparity in the level of interest among auto/racing enthusiasts between NASCAR and other series that doesn't withstand scrutiny in my book.

You can weigh that a couple of ways (or many more, but two for now).

First, to those that brush it off as something they could do: no you couldn't just "do that". But getting that point across requires getting that person to the race to show them how fast these cars are actually moving. It's mind boggling to think that these are naturally aspirated V8s gushing out 800+ horsepower to the rear wheels, and they're meant to look like typical sedans and, oh yeah, they will top out at more than 200 mph! That's completely audacious! I took a lap of Talladega in a Ford Focus at 120, and even that was enough to be exciting. Imagine almost 100 mph faster than that, and you're talking about needing to change into a new pair of pants. Preferably brown ones if you plan on going back out and trying it again.

The other way to weigh the disparity in the interest, though, is to look at the talent of some of the drivers. And this is where Kyle really shines. This kid came from racing sprint cars on dirt, still races ARCA, Karts when he has the time, can race the wheels off of truck (sometimes almost literally...Eldora), and is well within contention for a spot in the Chase. And he's accomplished all but the FIRST thing in just about the last two years. These are series that share almost nothing in common other than going extremely fast on the absolute bleeding edge of grip, and this kid has basically mastered them all....and he's still getting better.

There's a lot I could say about NASCAR that I wouldn't have said a year ago, and while I know that there isn't one racer that will magically broaden the viewership of the sport, I do hope that people take notice and are appropriately amazed at how talented Kyle Larson is for his age and his Cup experience, and maybe decide to tune in for a few more races than they would have before to see just how he manages that talent going forward.

Long story short: Larson is someone to watch? Yeah, I think so.

ly2v8-Brian > 31ModelA 08/02/2014 at 18:54

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The next few years will say a lot.

kimiRakkionen > 31ModelA 08/03/2014 at 00:54

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I'll be at the race tomorrow. Wearing a Ferrari/Kimi drivers cap and a #murica shirt. If any oppos run into me, I'll buy you a drink. ;)

ETA: I'm not the real kimi. Im an F1 fan going to his first nascar race.

31ModelA > kimiRakkionen 08/03/2014 at 10:43

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oh boy, what to say about your first nascar race (other than at some point you MUST get as close to wall as possible to experience the rush. Stand either at the exit of a turn or 3/4 down a straight for maximum effect)...

1) change your perception about what a race car "is" . F1 cars look fast and sound(ed) like they were tuned to perform in an world class opera. NASCAR machines look like bricks and sound like they want to murder the air around them and the ground beneath them. Nonetheless, these are precision machines testing the bleeding edge of possibilities. These cars are brute force surgeons - crazy powerful, but still terribly, incredibly precise.

2) ditch the "Days of Thunder" narrative - these cars are not built in barns and tuned by rednecks. Sure, plenty of the crew might conjure images of such a story, but the truth could not be farther from it. The work that goes into making these cars perform on the level is no different than any other racing series, except most of it will go entirely unnoticed by casual fans (unless you can get down into the pits while it's happening). I think it goes back to the look of the cars. F1 machines have sprouted winglets and sensors from every surface making them look like they were designed by aliens from the future. NASCAR machines are sanctioned to look like what you might buy at the dealership, making them look like...well, you get the point. The tech and the talent that leads to a sedan that can top 200 take a turn at 160+ mph is, thus, hidden beneath a skin that belies it's underpinnings.

3) Whatever you think about jack men, or tire carriers, or engine tuners, you're probably wrong. These crews are comprised of engineers, former NCAA athletes (lots of tire handlers got their start in football, baseball, and wrestling), and folks so wildly talented at their craft as to be comparable to the high school golfer or basketball player that goes pro at 18. These crews are professional athletes - team members of a professional sports team. What they do is extremely hard and they're damn good at it. Unless you somehow just quit your job as a tire carrier, you cannot do what these guys do.

4) NASCAR fans are just about the funnest bunch of weirdos, rednecks, doctors, lawyers, astronauts, CEOs, and you name it around. They are not all missing half of their teeth and fresh off a meth binge. Sure, those folks are in there too, perhaps...probably, but they should not define the whole. If you're curious about stuff, ask questions. If you're on pit row, ask how close you can get to the cars or the wall. Everyone is really receptive to interested and enthusiastic people that don't look like they're just trying to leave with a lock of Dale Jr.'s beard hair.

HAVE FUN! Pocono is a hell of a race track and should have some pretty incredible action.

31ModelA > kimiRakkionen 08/03/2014 at 11:28

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http://car.kinja.com/its-kimis-firs…