CONCORD, N.C. (Nov. 6, 2014) - Long before he began moving NASCAR fans to the edge of their seat, Target Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (TCGRFS) driver Kyle Larson showcased his exciting driving style to dirt track fans across the country in sprint and midget cars. On the eve of wrapping up his successful rookie season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS), TCGRFS is pleased to announce that Larson will be competing in a few major open-wheel dirt track races during the NASCAR offseason.
The races will be Larson's first time in a sprint or midget car since he competed in last year's Chili Bowl Nationals, and his first time on dirt since he competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Mudsummer Classic at Eldora Speedway. Larson began his racing career in 1999 at the age of seven in Box Stock karts before graduating to racing sprint and midget cars, and ultimately driving the No. 42 Target Chevrolet SS stock car for TCGRFS in the NSCS this season.
Notes of Interest:
* California Here We Come: Kyle Larson won't take much of a break from racing once the NSCS season finishes on Nov. 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Larson's offseason racing will start Nov. 26-27 when he races in a Cartwheel by Target midget at Perris Auto Speedway (Calif.), where he will be competing for Keith Kunz Motorsports with Curb-Agajanian in the 74th Running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix. The United States Auto Club (USAC) sanctioned midget car event, which has been promoted by the Agajanian family since 1934, was won by Larson in 2012.
* Heating Up: Larson will get back behind the wheel of a winged sprint car for the inaugural Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown at Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz. The event features sprint cars and will take place Jan. 2-3, 6, and 9-10. Larson will be driving the No. 2 Plan B Sales sprint car for Larson Marks Racing, the Mooresville, N.C. based sprint car team that he co-owns.
* Bowl Bound: Wrapping up his offseason dirt schedule and right on the heels of college football bowl season, Larson will compete for Keith Kunz Motorsports with Curb-Agajanian in a Cartwheel by Target midget in the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Okla., which takes place Jan. 12-17. Although Larson has participated in the prestigious indoor midget car race on seven previous occasions, he has yet to win the main event. His best finish at the Chili Bowl in the feature event came in 2012 when he finished in third place. Larson was also the preliminary night feature event winner in 2012 and 2013.
* Larson in the NSCS: Larson is currently in his rookie season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS), where he holds an 88-point lead in the Rookie of the Year point standings. Through 34 races this season, Larson has won the pole once, has eight top-five and 17 total top-10 finishes in NSCS races.
Quote Board:
* Chip Ganassi, Owner: "When I first met Kyle, there was no doubt about his passion for sprint car racing. I know he loves to race just about anything, and I'm happy he has the opportunity to run some dirt races over the offseason. His results on dirt tracks and fan base speak for themselves, and I've been pleased to see him bring some of that success and excitement to our NASCAR team this year."
* Kyle Larson, Driver No. 42 Target Chevrolet SS: "I'm really looking forward to getting back to a few dirt tracks during the offseason. As most people know, dirt racing is where I started my career, and while I always wanted to drive in the Sprint Cup Series, I really appreciate the opportunity to be back racing on dirt. Being able to once again participate in the Chili Bowl, and have another chance to win the feature, is something I'm really looking forward to. It is great when you work for an owner like Chip that's a former driver because he knows how it feels and to also have a partner like Target that is supportive of me doing this. I am very appreciative for the opportunity."
About Chip Ganassi Racing
Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for over 25 years and is considered one of the most successful as well as innovative owners the sport has anywhere in the world. Today his teams include four cars in the Verizon IndyCar Series, two cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and one Prototype in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. Overall his teams have 17 championships and over 160 victories, including four Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400, five Rolex 24 At Daytonas and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis and Brownsburg, Ind. and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh, Pa.
For more information log onto www.chipganassiracing.com
Press Release