RPW Column: The Timing Is Right For Ryan Larkin To Return To The Driver’s Seat

RPW Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – ALFORD, MA – Ryan Larkin has won in the Sportsman division. He’s won in the Modified division. However, several years ago, he walked away from the sport. Now, the time is right for a return.

Late last season, the Alford, MA driver got the urge to compete once again, so he got to work. He purchased an older Teo Pro Car complete from Olden Dwyer, borrowed a GM Crate Motor from good friend Richie Crane and competed in a handful of Sportsman events at Lebanon Valley Speedway.

“I always like racing,” Larkin said. “It’s a fun sport. I couldn’t do a 358-Modified or Big Block. I don’t have the kind of money needed to do it.”

However, talking to a few of his friends turned him on to a return in the Sportsman division.

“Richie was telling me about the crate engines,” he said. “I then talked to a long-time friend, Kevin Petrucci, who explained to me how the crate program operates. That got me into it as it’s only $4,000 for a brand new engine. That’s affordable to me.”

Over the off-season, Larkin upped his racing program. He sold off the Teo he ran last year and purchased the PMC Race Car that Marc Johnson drove a handful of times for Scott Hamlin last season.

He and his crew revamped the car in their shop this winter to get ready for the season and Larkin feels those races last year really helped him to hit the ground running in 2020.

“I wanted to get the feel of it and see what I needed to be prepared for this season,” he said. “I knew what I needed from running those few races. It was very helpful.”

Before his return last season, Larkin was a competitor in the Valley’s Big Block Modified class. What were some of the biggest hurdles the second-generation driver had to jump coming back?

“There’s a big difference between the two because of the horsepower, that’s for sure,” he said. “I now have a lot more time to think down the straightaways. Other than that, there isn’t that much. The cars are exactly the same. I just have to learn how to work with a car that is underpowered.”

With his return this season, Larkin is just looking to enjoy himself. In the Modified class, he felt the pressure to perform and run up front. Now, he just wants to have fun.

“We just want to have a good time with racing this time around,” he said. “No real goals for us. I’m just happy to go racing on Saturday nights with my friends and everyone that has supported me. I especially can’t wait to go racing with my Dad (track legend Dickie Larkin).”

Unfortunately, now due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Larkin Racing #39 sits patiently in the shop and its driver is chomping at the bit to get to the track.

“I’m excited to get back to racing, but am bummed we can’t due to this situation,” he said. “However, I’m not the only one. It sucks to have to wait longer but everyone has to go through it. I get that. We just have to hope this will blow over.”

When he does get to the race track, Larkin just wants to have fun, but also run well. If he was to get back to victory lane, while he understands it won’t be easy, that would be an amazing feeling.

“That’s the plan for us,” he said. “All of us on the team want to win. It’s the best part of racing. I’ve never really cared about points, but if I’m lucky to be in the hunt, I might.”

Even with all he has going on, Larkin is quick to remember and thank all of those people that have helped him to get ready for this season.

“I need to thank my wife and my parents for all their love and support,” he said. “I also have to hank my dedicated crew, Matt, Derek, Steve and Ken. This season wouldn’t be possible without the support of my sponsors like Clark Excavating, Bart Contracting (Nicky D), Sisco Tech the rest of my partners who are behind us. They are the ones who have made this happen.”

There was one person he said he couldn’t forget to thank.

“I really have to thank Richie Crane for letting me borrow one of his crate engines last year,” he said. “That was huge for me coming back and I wouldn’t be here without him.”

Ryan Larkin just loves to race. He’s a winner in other divisions, and now he’s tackling the Crate Sportsman class. When racing resumes, keep an eye out on the blue #39 as he runs his way to the front of the pack.