LARSON HONORED AS THE 2013 NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES SUNOCO ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

MIAMI (Nov. 19, 2013) – Kyle Larson capped off an incredible 2013 season Monday night as the NASCAR Nationwide Series top rookie, receiving the 2013 Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award at the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Camping World Trucks Series Awards Banquet in Miami.

The award put an exclamation point on a fantastic season for the 21 year-old from Elk Grove, California. The NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduate compiled nine top-five and 17 top-10 finishes, including four second place finishes (Bristol-1, Michigan, Dover-2 and Homestead). He won the rookie honors by 82 points over runner-up Alex Bowman.

Larson made headlines in April, winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Rockingham Speedway to become the first graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program to win a NASCAR national series race.

He will compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2014, driving the No. 42 Chevrolet for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and continue to drive the No. 32 NAtionwide Series entry for Turner Scott Motorsports.

Also receiving awards on Monday evening were 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champions James Buescher for his second place points finish; Jeb Burton received an award for the most pole awards in 2013 and fourth place points finish; and Justin Allgaier received his award for finishing fifth in the NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers standings.