Larson’s engine issue was a rare blemish in Toyota’s usually stellar grassroots racing program, particularly at the Chili Bowl, where the brand has won the last four Saturday main events with Kunz’s powerhouse operation.
However, the Californian admitted that some of his recent issues at the crown-jewel event may be self-inflicted, simply because of how on-the-edge he runs his race car.
“I was shocked when the motor started laying down. Typically, Toyota doesn’t have any engine issues with their short-track program, but I’ve had a couple at Chili Bowl that have just been inopportune for us,” lamented Larson. “I run really hard, so I probably twist the engine harder than the other drivers in our stable. That probably came up and bit me last year, unfortunately.”
Even though he’s yet to experience what the taste of victory is like on Chili Bowl Saturday, Larson is quick to point out that he knows as well as anyone how important the race is and what makes it so unique for dirt-track racers and fans, alike.
It’s more than just a race, Larson notes. It’s a weeklong lifestyle.
“There are so many things that make Chili Bowl special. It’s amazing that they can fit all of that in one building, for starters … between the cars and the race track and the trailers and all the people, and just being able to witness that part of it is incredible,” Larson said. “But then, the racing every night is great and how efficiently they run the program through is better than any series or track around.
“Once the checkered flag waves, it turns into a giant party every night,” Larson added. “There are a few different bars everyone goes to and it’s just a good time. It’s a very fan-friendly event and a place where you get to see all your friends for a week, and that’s one of the things I really enjoy about it.”
Larson is a two-time winner of the Turkey Night Grand Prix in California. He’s also a past winner of the now-defunct Belleville Midget Nationals and one of only two drivers in history to sweep the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway; alongside one of his open-wheel heroes, Jack Hewitt.
He knows a Golden Driller is missing from that impressive résumé, though, and he desperately wants to fill that glaring hole on the scorecard sooner rather than later.
“It’s one of the biggest races in the world, but especially the biggest when it comes to midgets,” Larson said. “Obviously, every driver wants to win the big ones, but as I’ve dealt with bad luck after bad luck … year after year … it makes you want to get that weight off your shoulders more than anything else.
“I know I’m capable of doing it, and I obviously race for the best team in the building, but it just all has to line up. Last year, it was eight laps from being perfect and, hopefully, this time it will all work out.”
Larson will be back in his father Mike’s familiar No. 01 entry for this year’s Chili Bowl, a car prepared by Keith Kunz in exactly the same fashion as the other 10 KKM entries, but officially owned by the senior Larson.
Should he be able to accomplish the mission he fell just short of a year ago, the younger Larson said it “would mean everything” to give his dad a victory in the famed Oklahoma classic.
“A Chili Bowl win for my dad … like I said last year, it would be so special,” Larson emphasized. “That would be the ultimate, us pulling it off together. I can’t put into words what it would mean.
“We just have to have all the right pieces fall into place. Hopefully, this year is that year.”
After all, Larson certainly doesn’t want to have to wait until his 20th Chili Bowl try to win it like Earnhardt did with the Daytona 500.
A victory in his 12th attempt would be A-OK in his book.
