Fans can post qualifying lap times now through November 12 for a chance to go head to head with the national driver

PLACERVILLE — NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson is putting his pedal to the metal in a way local fans have never seen before. The Elk Grove native will return to The Apex at Red Hawk Resort + Casino on Thursday, November 13, for a high-octane showdown with ten lucky racers who qualify to go head-to-head with him on the venue’s multi-level indoor karting track.

Fans can post qualifying lap times now through November 12 for a chance to race Larson during the event, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The ten fastest drivers will line up next to one of the most versatile champions in modern motorsports for an evening of racing, fun, and hometown pride.

“Hosting a hometown racing hero like Kyle Larson at The Apex is a thrill for both our guests and our team,” said Bryan deLugo, President & CEO of Red Hawk Resort + Casino. “This event celebrates the spirit of competition, community, and entertainment that defines Red Hawk. Whether you’re here to race, watch, or simply enjoy the atmosphere, it’s going to be an unforgettable experience.”

Since opening, The Apex at Red Hawk Resort + Casino has become one of Northern California’s premier entertainment destinations—an experience designed to bring the thrill of the track and the excitement of gaming together under one roof. The three-level electric karting track is the centerpiece of the complex, offering racers of all skill levels the chance to feel the rush of real motorsport action in a safe, high-performance environment.

The track’s layout features banked turns, elevation changes, and long straightaways where drivers can unleash the speed of the Italian-designed electric karts—machines built for acceleration, precision handling, and instant torque. With its multi-story configuration and LED-lit tunnels, the course rivals professional indoor tracks found in major racing cities.

Beyond karting, The Apex offers 18 lanes of interactive bowling that blend classic recreation with cutting-edge scoring and projection systems. Guests can also take a swing in one of four full-size golf simulators powered by top technology, offering hundreds of virtual courses from around the world. The sprawling arcade area adds dozens of interactive games for kids and adults alike, from racing simulators to sports challenges and prize-redemption favorites.

For adults, The Apex Sports Bar and Grill provides a front-row seat to the action with a full menu, locally inspired cocktails, bar-top video slots, and wall-to-wall TVs showing live sports. The complex is non-smoking and open to all ages, with 21-and-over access limited to the bar area. Group bookings, corporate team events, and birthday parties have made The Apex a favorite for families, businesses, and thrill-seekers alike across the region.

With Larson’s visit, The Apex will transform into a motorsports arena for fans eager to see how their lap times stack up against one of the fastest men in professional racing. Qualifying sessions are open daily, and leaderboard updates are displayed inside the complex leading up to the November 13 event.

Larson, 33, is a Northern California racing prodigy whose career began just miles away at Placerville Speedway. In 2007, at age 14, he entered his first Sprint Car race there and earned his first victory that same season. Three years later, he captured the Golden State KWS-NARC Series title at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds track.

Born in Elk Grove, Larson was already racing outlaw karts by age seven and rose through the USAC and open-wheel ranks with a rare blend of discipline and fearlessness. By 2012 he had claimed the ARCA Menards Series East championship and earned attention across the motorsports world for his raw talent on both dirt and asphalt. That same year he made his national debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, followed by a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series season in 2013, where he was named Sunoco Rookie of the Year.

Larson joined the NASCAR Cup Series in 2014 with Chip Ganassi Racing and in 2021 moved to Hendrick Motorsports—where he delivered one of the most dominant seasons in modern racing history. That year he won 10 races, including the Coca-Cola 600 and the NASCAR All-Star Race, and clinched the Cup Series Championship.

Since then, Larson has continued to add to his legacy with wins in the Southern 500, the Brickyard 400, and multiple Xfinity and Truck Series victories. He is one of the few drivers to attempt “The Double,” racing the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day in 2024—a feat that earned him Rookie of the Year honors at Indy.

Larson also co-founded the High Limit Racing sprint car series and remains a fixture on dirt tracks nationwide. In 2023 he was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers, cementing his status as one of the sport’s most versatile competitors.

Just one day after the Red Hawk event, Larson will return to his roots for the annual Hangtown 100 at Placerville Speedway. The two-night USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget event is set for Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15, and will feature Larson both as a competitor and as a co-promoter in partnership with Russell Motorsports Inc.

“We are excited to continue growing the Hangtown 100 and working with Kyle Larson to make that happen,” said Placerville Speedway’s Scott Russell. “Matt Wood had the original vision for the event, and now, with Kyle’s partnership, we’re taking it to the next level.”

Larson has a deep personal connection to the track, which served as his launchpad into the national racing scene. He won the inaugural Hangtown 100 in 2019, repeated the feat in 2023, and returns this year as the defending champion after last season’s rainout.

“It’s really special to be part of an event that means so much to me,” Larson said. “Placerville Speedway is a place where my family and I grew up going to, not just as fans, but to race. Teaming up with Scott and Kami to continue growing this event is incredibly important to me, and I’m excited to not only help promote, but also to compete.”

Matt Wood, who conceived the Hangtown 100, welcomed the transition to Larson’s co-promotion role. “The Hangtown 100 has been one of the best ideas I’ve ever had,” Wood said. “Having someone with Kyle’s passion for the sport and willing to take it to the next level is the best thing that could happen. Congrats to Kyle and his team. I’m excited to see where the HT 100 ends up.”

The two-night card features the popular USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midgets alongside the Wingless BCRA Lightning Sprints. Bixby, Oklahoma’s Cannon McIntosh brings the series point lead into the California swing, followed by Justin Grant, Kevin Thomas Jr., Jacob Denney, and Gavin Miller.

Tickets and two-night packages are available at www.hangtown100.com/tickets. The Placerville Speedway is located at 100 Placerville Drive on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. Take Highway 50 to the Forni Road/Placerville Drive exit and follow Placerville Drive north to the fairgrounds.

Red Hawk Resort + Casino, just off Highway 50 at Red Hawk Parkway, offers more than 2,100 slots, popular table games, six restaurants, and a luxury resort hotel overlooking the Sierra foothills. The Apex is the property’s all-ages centerpiece for family fun and adrenaline entertainment. For complete details or to book a group event, visit apexatredhawk.com or call 888-573-3495.

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