The resurrection of Kyle Larson’s career started with a 25-hour drive from California to Iowa for a $15,000-to-win World of Outlaws race.
Larson hitched a ride with the team that fielded a car for him Friday night at Knoxville Raceway. It’s a total reset for a driver who less than a month ago was the top free agent in NASCAR.
His career came to a sudden halt when he was fired by Chip Ganassi Racing for using a racial slur in an iRacing event late Easter Sunday.
Back to his beginnings — and arguably the type of racing he’s always favored — Larson was one of 24 drivers to advance to the main event. He started 18th, one position ahead of brother-in-law and reigning series champion Brad Sweet, and moved to 11th in just five laps.
Larson slipped to 15th on a restart on the sixth lap of the race, and in a 30-lap event, he only had enough time to earn a 10th-place finish.
David Gravel, winner of the Knoxville Nationals last year, won the Invitational that was held without spectators on the semi-banked 1/2-mile dirt oval located on the Marion County Fairgrounds in Knoxville. An unspecified donor added $5,000 to the purse during the main event.
Larson drove a car fielded by Sacramento-based Paul Silva. The No. 57 was primarily white but sported sponsorship from Fresno-based labor contractor Tarlton & Son Inc., and Finley Farms, a prior sponsor of Larson’s that said it would continue to back him when almost all of his commercial partners ended their relationship.
“We all make mistakes, and deserve a second chance!” Jason Finley wrote on Twitter about Larson.
Also featured on the car was Lucas Oil, which had suspended its relationship with Larson within 24 hours of his iRacing debacle.
Larson, who is half-Japanese and rose through NASCAR’s diversity program, was among the most promising talents in the biggest racing series in the country. He was participating in a virtual race for fun after his two kids went to bed when he used a racial slur while addressing his spotter.
