KING OF THE SOUTH • 2025
Above: Larson defeats Shelby Lynn in the quarterfinals. Below: Larson and Kye Kelley chat after their second-round matchup. Right: Ryan Hendrickson took his Mustang to the semifinals.
of his conversion to small tires is the fact that he does almost everything on the car himself. He built it at Larson Race Cars, his shop based out of Oak Grove, Missouri. He tunes it himself, and of course, drives it. It’ s an old-school mentality that Larson has maintained throughout his career.
“ It’ s hard to explain,” Larson says.“ That used to be the deal. From what I remember, Tim McAmis won the first IHRA Pro Mod championship – and he built it, tuned it, and drove it. Over the years, that has fallen completely off and money has come into the equation. People may look at this and think I’ m filthy rich, but I’ m here in a 48-foot trailer and a dually. I told everybody – between the builder, the tuner, the owner, and the driver, I don’ t have a chance. It was just a hell of a night.”
Larson was quick to add that while he does do a lot of the work himself, he’ s not alone in his efforts.
“ To do it all myself … if I step on my toes, it’ s on me,” says Larson.“ I say me, but it’ s my guys at the shop that endure when I’ m gone. Jeff [ Scott ] and Teresa [ Collins ], they have been amazing. I couldn’ t do it without them. Greg Sandford with Pro Rolloffs, he owns the engine in the car. X Insurance has helped out. Dustin and Brandon Hart have been amazing with the Harts Charger. I can’ t make it happen all on my own. I may do a lot of it, but I can’ t do it without all the help I get.”
With a huge win already under his belt so soon after the switch to small tires, Larson is already motivated to keep the momentum rolling. He took part in for the Speed Promotions $ 100,000 small-tire event on June 20-21 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. And of course, he’ ll be ready to head back to Shadyside Dragway in 2026 to defend his King of the South title.
“ It’ s been an amazing weekend,” Larson says.“ Corey [ Stamper ] and the guys put on a great show. They worked through some adversity with crashes and oildowns, but this is one cool-ass race at a little backwoods track. I like the small tracks – the people are so happy to be here, and it’ s just awesome.” DI
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