After over a decade of trying, Kyle Larson has won his first Chili Bowl in convincing fashion in a New Zealand built and designed car.
While there was success for Larson, the two Kiwi drivers were left wanting for better results.
Current three-time New Zealand Three Quarter Midget Champion Jeremy Webb started his final night of Tulsa competition on the front row of a 20-Car D-main for the Clauson Marshall Racing team.
Despite the week being his first look at the indoor track and first time in a Spike Chassis and SR11 MOPAR combination, Webb took the lead and put some good laps together. However, he was eventually passed by Andrew Felker who had started deep in the field after advancing from the previous race.
Webb came home second which put him on grid 17 of a 20 car C-Main where he was able to pass several cars into 14th. Though this is where his Chili Bowl ended, unable to qualify for the A-Main.
Eight-time New Zealand Midget champion Michael Pickens was only two positions away from locking himself into a pole shuffle that could have sat him on the pole of the 34th Chili Bowl. However, that two spot difference saw him start on grid five of a 20-Lap B-Main where the top seven would make it through to the 55-Lap final.
Pickens managed third in the B-Main and started the championship race in 16th but hit the wall after contact with another car. The stoppage sent him to the rear for the restart where he was unable to make up ground, ultimately finishing in 22nd overall.
Pickens commented after the race that he struggled throughout and couldn’t do much after the restart.
King Chassis creator Justin Insley was delighted to see his car take out the biggest Midget race in the world.
“It was a surreal feeling standing on the infield watching Kyle show as much emotion as he did,” he said.
“And for him to be climbing out of a King Chassis was unbelievable. Larson and King have been an unbelievable combination. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.”
Larson a recent visitor to New Zealand during the International Midget Car Series was joined by fellow visitor Christopher Bell who was second. A new rising star in the Midget ranks, Cannon McIntosh, was third.
Other visitors Kaidon Brown of Australia won his C-Main and ended his Chili Bowl 16th in a B-Main.
Californian and driver for Auckland’s Green Way Racing, Logan Seavey, charged up to fourth from 11th in the final after winning the other B-Main. His Green Way Racing teammate Zach Daum was 16th in the final.
Zeb Wise finished his Chili Bowl 12th in a D-Main with Tyler Courtney 11th and Chris Windom 14th in the final.
Results can be found HERE
Archived footage of full preliminary night’s coverage and Saturday’s prelims O to D are available at www.racinboys.com