Kyle Larson Finds Fast Lane Quickly In Modified At UNOH Battle At The Beach In Daytona

When it comes to those climbing NASCAR’s full-fendered ranks, nobody seems to get more attention these days than reigning K&N Pro Series East champion Kyle Larson.

Kyle Larson prepares for Modified practice Monday at Daytona International Speedway (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

Monday showed that he knows how to move when it comes to open wheel racing in NASCAR too.

Larson, of Elk Grove, Calif., was fastest in Modified Tour practice Monday at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for Tuesday’s 150-lap UNOH Battle At The Beach Modified Tour event.

Tuesday marked Larson’s first time in a NASCAR Tour Type Modified. He ran a fast lap f 18.556 seconds (77.603 mph) around the .4-mile prepared oval on the backstretch at Daytona International Speedway.

Whelen Southern Modified Tour regular Burt Myers was second fastest at 18.669 seconds (77.133 mph).

Eric Goodale of Riverhead, N.Y. led the way for Whelen Modified Tour regulars with a fast lap of 18.725 seconds (76.903 mph). Ryan Preece of Berlin was fourth fastest and Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, N.Y. was fifth fastest.

Todd Szegedy (Ridgefield), Bobby Santos III (Franklin, Mass.), Ron Silk (Norwalk), John Smith (Mount Airy, N.C.) and Mike Stefanik (Coventry, R.I.) rounded out the top-10 in practice.

Larso will compete in all three feature events at the Battle At The Beach. He will race for part-time Whelen Modified Tour team owners Kevin Manion and Gary Putnam in Tuesday’s Modified race. He will also compete in the 150-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model event Monday at Daytona and Tuesday’s 150-lap K&N Pro Series event.

The Modified Tour will have two more practices Tuesday before qualifying heats will set the field for their feature.