Larson takes opening round of International midget series

Larson takes opening round of International midget series

American Kyle Larson has taken victory in the opening round of the Crowne Plaza International Midget series, held on boxing night at Western Springs Speedway. Larson held out New Zealand’s Michael Pickens and Australian Nathan Smee who rounded out a truly international podium.

At just 19 years of age, Larson was making his debut in New Zealand and at the central Auckland track and after his heat races, had qualified seventh for the 25-lap feature race, although he quickly moved forward and by half distance had engaged in a battle royale with current national midget champion Pickens, the pair swapping the lead on just about every corner. It wasn’t until a mistake from Pickens with five laps remaining that Larson was able to make any sort of a margin and he headed home the Kiwi and Australia’s Smee while defending International midget series champion Jerry Coons Jr. finished fourth.

Boxing night also played host to round two of the Porter Group/Hydraulink International Sprint Car series and after a brief stint in the front for Sprint Car legend Sammy Swindell, current New Zealand Champion but also an American resident, Jonathan Allard moved into the lead and never looked back. One of the drives of the race came from 16-year old Kiwi Daniel Rogers who moved past Swindell for second late in the race, although he got caught up in lapped traffic and was passed by former NZ champion Dean Brindle, who came home second, while Swindell got past Rogers in a drag race to the line to take the final step on the podium, with American Ricky Logan rounding out the top five.

After a bruising night of TQ Midget racing, Scott Baker took his second feature win of the season, comfortably ahead of second placed Shaun Cooke and current NZ champion Craig Todd.

The action resumes at Western Springs Speedway on December 31st with the World 30-lap Derby.

Midget Results

1. Kyle Larson USA
2. Michael Pickens NZ
3. Nathan Smee AUS

Sprint Car Results

1. Jonathan Allard USA
2. Dean Brindle NZ
3. Sammy Swindell USA

TQ Results

1. Scott Baker NZ
2. Shaun Cooke NZ
3. Craig Todd NZ
ends

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