AUCKLAND, New Zealand – It didn’t take Tyler Courtney long after finally breaking through at Western Springs Speedway to find his way back to victory lane.
Just four days removed from winning his first midget feature at the .285-mile bullring, Courtney held off a spirited charge from NASCAR Cup Series star Kyle Larson to win Friday’s King of the Springs midget feature at Western Springs Speedway.
The race was the fifth round of the 2019-20 United Truck Parts Int’l Midget Series season.
Courtney took the top spot from Aaron Hodgson on lap six of the 40-lapper and then went to work fending off Larson for the remaining distance.
Though Larson tried and tried again throughout the feature, Courtney was not to be denied, driving away down the stretch and finishing 1.653 seconds ahead of Larson at the checkered flag.
Australian Kaidon Brown completed the podium, followed by Chris Windom, who gave Americans three of the top four finishing positions on Friday.
Hodgson completed the top five after pacing the first five circuits.
Brett Morris Jr., Logan Seavey, Hayden Guptill, Hayden Williams and Nathan Howard completed the top 10.
Other notables in the field included Zach Daum, who finished a lap down in 13th; Michael Pickens, scored 17th after completing just three laps; and Zeb Wise, who retired from the event and ended up last in the 20-car field, finishing only two of the 40 scheduled laps.
The finish:
Tyler Courtney, Kyle Larson, Kaidon Brown, Chris Windom, Aaron Hodgson, Brett Morris Jr., Logan Seavey, Hayden Guptill, Hayden Williams, Nathan Howard, Matthew McCutcheon, Peter Hunnibell, Zach Daum, Shayne Alach, Ryan O’Connor, Travis Mills, Michael Pickens, James Cossey, Travis Buckley, Zeb Wise.