Auckland, New Zealand | Jan. 5, 2012 - Hometown hero and Kiwi Midget champion Michael Pickens got payback from 2011 USAC National Midget champion Brian Clauson last night in the World 50 Lap Classic by winning round three of the Crowne Plaza International Midget series at Western Springs Speedway in New Zealand. Clauson had bested Pickens in a similar dual in round two of the series on Monday, the 40 lap King of the Springs feature. (see video & story below)
In the World 50, Pickens, starting outside on the front row, jumped to the lead at the green and held off a charging Clauson at the checkers after a furious, race long battle between Michael, Brian and breakout driver of the year, California's Kyle Larson, who finished 3rd.
California sprint car ace and reigning New Zealand National Sprint Car champion, Jonathan Allard took his second win in as many nights. Allard won Monday's race over Peter Murphy on a very rough and tricky track and took top honors last night over fellow US racer Ricky Logan (who now resides in New Zealand) and Kiwi sprint ace Dean Brindle who finished third.
Allard & Clauson Conquer Rnd 2 King of the Springs
Auckland, New Zealand | Jan. , 2012 - American Bryan Clauson has taken out the second round of the Crowne Plaza International Midget series, the 40-lap King of the Springs, after a gruelling battle with Kiwi Michael Pickens at Western Springs Speedway last night.
Clauson, 22, started the feature race on the outside of the front row but knew that to give himself the best chance, he had to get to turn one first on a circuit that proved difficult to overtake on. He did so, beating fellow young American Kyle Larson, who qualified on pole position, to turn one. Current New Zealand champion Pickens also got past Larson and he and Clauson entered into a battle that would go the duration of the race.
Larson spun on lap three, sending him to the rear of the field and promoting Australian Nathan Smee, to the final podium spot, although Smee was unable to match the pace of the leading duo. Larson eventually recovered from the back of the 20-car field up to sixth position.
So when the chequered flag flew, Clauson took the win ahead of Pickens with Smee rounding out a second consecutive podium represented by three nationalities. Kiwi's Brad Mosen and Scott Buckley were fourth and fifth respectively ahead of Larson.
However the equally big news was who wasn't in the feature when defending International Series champion Jerry Coons Jr. suffered mechanical problems all night and did not qualify for the main feature race.
The TQ Midget racing was, as always, incredibly close fought but in the end it was Jared Taylor who took his second feature win of the season after a torrid run of luck. He did well to fight off a late race charge from Shane Phillips, who perhaps may have got by on a different track surface. Steve Smith continued his consistent run with a third place.
Sprint car racing was the domain of Jonathan Allard, who adapted well to the tricky conditions and claimed a dominant victory. Behind him was where all the action was, with Ricky Logan holding down what seemed to be a rather comfortable second place, only to make a mistake that allowed Australian Peter Murphy through, then Logan was pipped in a drag race to the line by Ryan O'Connor for the final spot on the podium.
Kyle Larson In-Car | 40 lap King of the Springs | Western Springs Speedway | Jan. 2, 2012
World Midget Series Entry List:
1NZ Michael Pickens
1USA Kevin Swindell
2NZ Chris McCutcheon
3USA Jerry Coons Jr
4A Dave Gick
5A Brock Maskovich
5H Alvin Cobb
7AUS Nathan Smee
8H Peter Hunnibell
9A Michael Brunt
10A Wayne Green
14H Simon Wi
17A Alistair Wootten
19A Mark Mullins
21A Carl Worboys
24C Nick Donalson
24H Patrick Timmons
25A Scott Buckley
27A Hayden Wiliams
39USA Bryan Clausen
41H Ricky McGough
42S Greg Jones
48A Gavin Elbers
67A Harley Taylor
73N Nevil Basalaj
76A Dylan Wade
77A Shaun Insley
78AUS Troy Jenkins
78A Shannon Taylor
81A Michael Kendall
85A Jared Wade
88A Brad Mosen
91A Shane O'Connor
95S Duane Hickman
97A Shayne Alach
98C Dave Kerr
99A Darren Warren
99USA Kyle Larsen
International Sprint Car Series Entry List:
1NZ Jonathan Allard
1USA Sammy Swindell
4A Glenn Torpey
5A Daniel Rogers
6P Nelson Hartley
7A Dion Kendall
8A Ryan O'Connor
10A Ricky Logan
11A Raymond Griffen
11USA Peter Murphy
18A Greg Pickerill
19A Jamie Duff
22A Dean Brindle
38A Karen Forsey
56A Carl Wilson
71A Jamie McDonald
78A Daniel Eggleton
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