Ganassi signs Kyle Larson

[piercey]

I think you owe Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart an apology for putting Ryan Newman and Kasey Kahne in the same sentence with them. Rest of the guys havent had a shot yet at the top level.

To be fair, I can't think of one time that Newman would have jumped to AOWR. He's always struck me as a stock car guy period.

The other 3... yeah...

[railroad]

Neither is the door to the NHRA,NHL or MLB.
Look at his website, he's gone to NASCAR.

And from the link:
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing has signed 19-year-old racing standout Kyle Larson to a developmental contract, putting him on the path to a potential future in the Sprint Cup Series.

The Elk Grove, Calif., native won a total of 22 major professional feature races last season, including victories in the World of Outlaws sprint car series and all three United States Auto Club national divisions. Last fall, he swept the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway, winning in three different styles of race car - midgets, sprint cars and silver crown cars - in the same night.

Larson is Japanese-American and will compete in the NASCAR East Series next season as a participant in NASCAR's diversity program.

Larsanity!

[Dez1013]

To be fair, I can't think of one time that Newman would have jumped to AOWR. He's always struck me as a stock car guy period.

The other 3... yeah...

Newman's goal was always Nascar.

[indybail]

Great decision by Ganassi. Given the current inability of IndyCar to put cars on the track can how can an open wheel hopeful like Brian Clausen now not look to NASCAR.

[Grinder-Tank]

Great decision by Ganassi. Given the current inability of IndyCar to put cars on the track can how can an open wheel hopeful like Brian Clausen now not look to NASCAR.

That is all noise. The guy likely wanted to race NASCAR. You make it seem as if indycar was where he wanted to go and couldn't get a ride.

[richie]

Last night Larson won his second race down in New Smyrna in as many weeks. That makes him 2 for 2 in his stock car career so far.

[Todd Gack]

That's 2 wins in 2 races for Mr. Larson in his stock car career.

Not bad for a "12 year old".

And praytell, what "proper training" did this kid have before setting foot in a stock car? Its that old "proper training" BS that a few posters like to ignorantly talk about as why any oval trackers never dare set foot in a AOW formula car.

[rrrr]

Larsen also won the Tuesday A-Main at the Chili Bowl last month. He is a great young driver, it'll be fun to watch him whatever career path he chooses.

[indybail]

That is all noise. The guy likely wanted to race NASCAR. You make it seem as if indycar was where he wanted to go and couldn't get a ride.

Kyle Larson has been clear is goal was NASCAR, Bryan Clauson on the other hand has had his sights set on IndyCar.

[neti1]

Sounds like perfect training for NASCAR, sounds like the kid made the right deal

Right - he's gone to the series with the best match for his skill set (not to mention the best opportunities to actually get paid for driving).

[doitagain]

That's 2 wins in 2 races for Mr. Larson in his stock car career.

Not bad for a "12 year old".

And praytell, what "proper training" did this kid have before setting foot in a stock car? Its that old "proper training" BS that a few posters like to ignorantly talk about as why any oval trackers never dare set foot in a AOW formula car.

Just because you don't name names doesn't make it any less insulting. Care to post some credentials to justify this troll? Surely you must have better bona fides than Ganassi

[Todd Gack]

Just because you don't name names doesn't make it any less insulting. Care to post some credentials to justify this troll? Surely you must have better bona fides than Ganassi

What "troll"?

Just repeating what was said about Mr. Larson, on your IC site a few days ago (not sure if the thread was merged or not, but those comments now are here in this thread).

The usual suspects were chortling about the kid not having the proper "background" (whatever the hell that means) to dare ever set foot in a all-powerful formula car.

Yet, he steps into a big ole' full-bodied stock car (which he had NEVER been in, before a few weeks ago) and he is already winning races.

Its a BS argument, just like its always been. Talent is talent. And the best, will always be able to adapt, if given a proper shot. That has never changed in about 100 years of motor racing. And never will.

Of course, his goal was always NASCAR. Its the same with 99.9% of American kids today. With how few Americans are in the sport, you would have to be a complete moron, to say your goal is Indy Car Racing. And that is incredibly sad.

One day, we'll actually try and compete again for the best American oval and road racers. Hopefully.

[Todd Gack]

Right - he's gone to the series with the best match for his skill set (not to mention the best opportunities to actually get paid for driving).

Yes, his skill set of winning races in anything he sets foot in, is a better match for the NASCAR world.

The best "skill set" match for a perspective young American Indy Car driver nowadays, is to have a father own a team for you.

[Todd Gack]

Hope he isnt another Joey Logano. Everyone said the same things about him, he was going to light the Nascar world on fire. Wanta talk about overrated.

Logano just turned 21. We must not forget how young the kid is.

Its not like he's 30 and only has 1 professional race win in his life.

Unlike how they treat young drivers in other series, I think the folks in NASCAR will be patient with their young talent. Its pretty tough racing in Cup. Lots of talent and lots of good teams to try and beat.