BENEFIT FOR BLOOM

For the better part of 40 years, Jeff Bloom has been one of the best pavement sprint-car racers in this country but now he needs some help.

Badly burned a couple weeks ago in a Must See Xtreme Sprint race at Grand Rapids, the 64-year-old Bloom suffered second and third degree burns on his hands and legs. One of his racing gloves burned into his hand and he’s currently undergoing skin grafts.

This Saturday at The Pit Stop restaurant in Brownsburg, the Race Chasers are staging a benefit lunch with all the proceeds going to Bloom. Former Indy and USAC star Pancho Carter and his longtime owner and friend Steve Stapp will be the featured guests and admission is $10.

If you can’t make it to Brownsburg, you can send a check to Linda Bloom at 43979 34th Avenue, Bangor, Mich., 49013.

LARSON’S WOW FACTOR

Kyle Larson was the WOW Factor on SPEED Center all by himself last Saturday.

The versatile Californian began the day in Loudon, N.H. where he won the K & N series stock car race. He hopped on a private plane and flew to Rossburg, Ohio for the annual USAC 4-Crown Nationals. He set quick time in the USAC Silver Crown field before capturing the USAC midget feature and then took a nasty ride in the sprint show.

After flipping off Turn 2, Larson was slammed into by another car in his roll cage, reminiscent of the accidents of Jan Opperman and Page Jones, but thankfully was only shaken up.

“My neck and my knees are a little sore but I got pretty lucky,” said Larson on Monday evening.

The 20-year-old phenom who was nominated for SPEED’s Driver of the Year in 2011 has amassed 23 victories in 105 starts this season in a variety of series (World of Outlaws, USAC, K&N) and still has 30 races remaining.

“I just bought a road racing go-kart,” said Larson, who is currently under contract to Chip Ganassi. “I figure I’d better learn how to road race.”

PANCHO SAID NO FIRST

I said on WIND TUNNEL that I couldn't recall anyone turning down a ride with Roger Penske before Ryan Hunter-Reay but Pancho Carter reminded me he'd done it in 1977.

"Roger asked me if I wanted to drive four or five races while Mario was away running Formula One but I wanted a steady ride," said the 4-time USAC champion who drove for Bob Fletcher in 1978.

Penske ended up hiring some guy named Mears.

Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.