Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Ind., drove to victory Thursday in the second feature of the inaugural POWRi Lucas Oil Midget World Championship at WXC Speedway in Western Springs, New Zealand.

The 24-year-old Clauson faced challenges from six-time New Zealand National Midget champion Michael Pickens, Rico Abreu of Rutherford, Calif., and Darren Hagen of Riverside, Calif., in the 40-lap race, known as “King of the Springs.”

“I knew the longer the race went, the better we would get,” Clauson said. “It’s just kind of the way it always goes for me, so I just tried to stay patient early on in the race and keep it on all four wheels.

“I wanted to try the bottom of the racetrack, but when Pickens took away the line there, we had to up high. I made a few adjustments in the cockpit and saddled up for elbows-up style racing. We knew we were faster on an equal track and got around there on the outside. I had a couple of fierce battles in that one, so just happy we could get up and find a way to the line first.”

Brock Mascovich of New Zealand finished second and Australian Nathan Smee passed two cars in the last corner of the race to finish third.

Chris Bell of Norman, Okla., won the opener of the POWRi Midget World Championship on Dec. 26 at Western Springs. The second event scheduled for Dec. 28 was canceled. The third and final event at Western Springs is Jan. 4. The series moves to Brisbane, Australia, on Jan. 25.

The 50-lap event at WXC Speedway on Saturday (Jan. 4) is the World Midget Classic.

“I’m ready for the 50- (lap race) here in Auckland now,” Clauson said “I’ve won the 25, the 30 and the 40 twice now, but there’s still one gaping hole to fill and I like our chances.”