Kyle Larson didn’t hold back after a late crash took him out of the lead and changed the outcome of Saturday night’s Hangtown 100 at Placerville Speedway. His post-race comments, shared moments after climbing from an upside-down car, became the real headline of the night.
Instead of arguing or blaming, Larson broke down the moment with honesty and a calm tone, explaining exactly what he saw and how it unfolded. With a packed crowd, he spoke about the contact, the risks associated with midget racing, and how much he appreciated the fans who had shown up.
Kyle Larson Explains the Contact and Why It Happened
Right after the race, Larson described the moment that sent his car flipping on lap 96 when Daison Pursley attempted a slide job in Turn 1. His explanation was direct and without anger, even though it cost him the victory.
“We had a good car, good race going, and Diason just must have built a run on the cushion behind me. He said. And yeah, surprised me on entry to one, and then you hit the grease, and I had nowhere to go. So yeah, just a bummer. But you know, I mean, I get it just because, you know, my entry was closed off, so he was gonna have to pull the trigger right there. And, yeah, just, well, I guess I wish it wouldn’t happen. I’m sure he wishes it wouldn’t happen too.”
His answer made it clear: it was hard racing, not bad intentions. Larson said he understood why Pursley made the move and that moments like this are part of racing these cars on small, slick tracks.
“The Crowd Was Awesome”- Larson Praises Fans and Format
Even after the crash, Larson made a point to acknowledge the fans and the event itself. During the post-race interview, the trackside reporter said, “You wanted to put on a great race for the fans, and had a sellout crowd. The rain held off, and everybody had a great time until the very end.”
Kyle Larson responded with appreciation for the atmosphere. “It was an awesome, awesome night, you know. It was good to start early like that. Maybe we could start early like that, even if the weather’s great, you know. So, yeah, the crowd was awesome. It was great to see them all show up. You’re here, and you’ll get home early. Everybody could watch, you know, from the East Coast, it’d be some time too. So, yeah, the crowd was great. It was huge, and hopefully they’ll stay that way.”
His comments showed how much he values racing in front of a full house, whether he wins or not.
What Happened in the Final Laps and How the Race Finished
The dramatic moment came with four laps left. Kyle Larson had led nearly the entire race in the No. 57 Keith Kunz Motorsports car when Pursley tried to take the lead with a slide job. His car hit a slick patch, slid up the track, and tagged Larson’s right rear, sending Larson flipping down the frontstretch. He climbed out uninjured but clearly frustrated.
USAC officials reviewed the incident and ruled it a racing deal. Pursley went on to win the $20,000 prize ahead of Cannon McIntosh and Justin Grant. Earlier in the night, Corey Day and Caden Sarale also flipped but walked away safely.
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