KYLE LARSON RACING, STEWART TO PART WAYS AT THE END OF 2018 SEASON
KYLE LARSON RACING, STEWART TO PART WAYS AT THE END OF 2018 SEASON
Story By: Kyle Larson Racing
Photos By: Dan DeMarco & Pete MacDonald/RacersGuide.com
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (OCTOBER 24, 2018) – After a successful five-year run and four strong seasons on the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series tour, Kyle Larson Racing and Shane Stewart have decided to part ways at the end of 2018.
“I can’t thank Shane enough for everything he has put into this team over the last five years,” said NASCAR star and KLR team owner, Kyle Larson. “When Justin [Marks] and I started Larson Marks Racing in 2014, we knew Shane was our guy. He is one of the best drivers on and off the track and we knew he would bring success to our team. We have accomplished a lot over the past five seasons and have won a lot of big races. I wish him nothing but the best in the future.”
Since 2014, Stewart and the Kyle Larson Racing team have tallied 35 victories, 95 podium scores, over 150 top-fives and over 270 top-10 finishes. The duo claimed victory in only their second race together, the first of three in during their inaugural season.
During their first full season on the World of Outlaws tour in 2015, they won nine Outlaw feature events, which included sweeping the Kings Royal at the famed Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. They also triumphed during the Ironman 55 at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo. The team finished their introductory Outlaws season with an impressive runner-up finish in the standings.
The following year, the team headed to Arizona before the World of Outlaws season started and kicked off the year with two wins and the overall points championship in the Winter Heat Challenge at Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz. They went on to snag eight Outlaw feature events including the World of Outlaws portion of 4-Crown Nationals, in addition claimed back-to-back Capitani Classic and Knoxville Nationals preliminary night victories at the famed Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway. They ended the year by finishing sixth in the World of Outlaws Championship standings.
Last year, Stewart and the KLR team won eight World of Outlaws events before finishing fifth in the Championship point standings. The Bixby, Okla., native won his first-career race at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Penn., and by doing so took home the Morgan Cup trophy. They also scored the big $20,000 check for winning the Front Row Challenge at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa and also claimed victory in the Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif.
In 2018, Larson took over as sole owner of the No. 2 sprint car team and brought Paul Silva on as General Manager. Despite only having one victory so far this season that came at Eldora Speedway in Thursday’s portion of the Kings Royal, Stewart has racked up 19 top-five and 47 top-10 finishes. In addition, the KLR team has made every World of Outlaws feature event with no DNFs.
“First off, I have to thank Kyle and Justin for giving me five great years behind the wheel of the 2 car,” said Stewart. “As a driver there is nothing better than being able to compete and win at the highest level of sprint car racing. We have enjoyed some big wins together and never finished worse than sixth in the championship point standings. That in itself says a lot about all the guys that have worked really hard for me. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and I have to say a big thank you to everyone.”
Stewart and the Kyle Larson Racing team will look to finish off their tenure together in strong fashion over the final two World of Outlaws weekends at Port Royal (Penn.) Speedway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte in Concord, N.C.
