(September 4th, 2019)……….The 2019 Kyle Larson’s Outlaw Kart Showcase Presented by McDonald’s is in the books and once again it was a spectacular event that will not soon be forgotten. Kyle Larson had a dominant two days that saw him win every race he competed in throughout the event. The #2B of Eric Botelho also became a two time Outlaw Kart Showcase Champion as he picked up the win in the 250 Intermediate Class. Charlie Seavey added his name to the list of winners in the Box Stock Class after a great performance in his #91 machine.
When the 40 Lap Main Event rolled onto the racetrack, Kyle Larson was scheduled to start on the Pole Position after winning the Tyler Wolf/David Tarter Memorial Dash but he had other ideas. Larson would make the decision, on his own accord, to drop to the rear of the field and try to race his way back to the front. That decision moved the #02 of Casey McClain to the Pole alongside the #07H of Landon Brooks. When the Green Flag flew, Brooks would quickly jump out to the race lead. Throughout the first half of the race, Landon would pace the field with ease in his Busch Light sponsored entry. While Brooks paced the field, Kyle Larson was making quick work through the pack. Larson quickly moved forward through the field and found himself in the third spot by Lap 18. Lap 19 was the turning point of the race. As leader Landon Brooks motored through turn three a slower kart in front of him slowed and a crash ensued. When the dust settled, Brooks was facing the wrong direction at the top of the racetrack. His run at the front of the field came to an end in that accident as he would have to restart at the tail of the field. Tyler Seavey inherited the race lead in his #91 kart for the restart but he had the #1K of Larson breathing down his neck. Seavey would hold serve at the front of the field though as he was able to run the top side of the racing surface keeping the #1K at bay. A yellow flag with just 10 laps remaining was where the race for the lead heated up. On the restart, Larson shot to the inside of Seavey down the front straight. He slid up in front of the #91 kart off of turn two to take over the race lead, completing the charge from 22nd to 1st. Seavey would hang with Larson in the final ten laps but was never able to get close enough to take a shot at the lead. When the Checkered Flag flew it was Kyle Larson winning his second Outlaw Kart Showcase Presented by McDonald’s in a row. Larson was followed across the line by the #91 of Tyler Seavey. Chase Majdic fought off a stomach bug during Tuesday night’s program to bring home a solid third place finish in his mittryconstruction.com #42X. Casey Schmitz was another driver who made a big run through the field in his #35VS entry. Schmitz started in the 17th position and charged to a fourth place finish. Veteran driver Ryan Foster would round out the top five finishers in kart #6.
In 250 Intermediate action we were treated to a spectacular battle between Eric Botelho and Preston Carr. The two drivers traded the lead several times throughout the race as they threw slider after slider at each other without ever touching. It was a great display of talent for both drivers as the crowd leapt to their feet multiple times during the race. When the Checkered Flag flew it was the #2B of Eric Botelho who would see it first as he got the win by just .131 seconds over the #46 of Preston Carr. Tater Reich had a great week as well in his Tri-C Machine #3T entry. Reich would come home with a third place effort. Dean Pinten put together a solid week as well in his kart #44. The Vacaville, CA driver came across with a fourth place finish. Rounding out the Top Five was the #9L of Luke Hayes out of Dunnigan, CA. Hayes was on a hot streak heading into “The Showcase” and carried that momentum to a fifth place effort.
Box Stock action during the Outlaw Kart Showcase Presented by McDonald’s saw the #91 of Charlie Seavey score the biggest win of his career. In 2019 Charlie Seavey has now won both the West Coast Nationals and the Outlaw Kart Showcase, the two biggest outlaw kart races on the West Coast. Seavey was chased across the finish line by the #8 of Racin Gramps. Racin picked up his first career box stock win on Saturday night before the Showcase and carried his momentum with him all week. Klamath Falls, OR driver Ryan Hirschbock had a great run as well in his #78 kart. Hirschbock would come home in the fourth position in his Bob’s Excavating entry. The #3T of Tyler Carlson would come home in the fourth position followed by the #49 of Aiden Price rounding out the top five. Price had an up and down week at the Outlaw Kart Showcase but the Huntersville, NC driver was thrilling to watch each time he was on the racetrack and he ended up with a fifth place finish for his efforts.
The Kyle Larson’s Outlaw Kart Showcase Presented by McDonald’s continues to grow in popularity with each passing season. Kyle and his team put in so many hours and dedicate so much effort to this event. Without them and the help of all of the sponsors and partners this event would not be possible. We would like to thank everyone for taking part in the 5th Annual edition of this race and we are already looking forward to planning and getting ready for next years event.
By: Elijah Jones
Jones Media Relations
Paradise, CA
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