Pickens claims runner-up spot in 40-Lapper

January 2, 2012 - BSL Racing’s Michael Pickens has taken second place in the 40-lap King of the Springs race, held at Western Springs last night, leading home a strong team result for BSL Racing which saw all three team cars come home in the top six.

All three cars lined up together in their first heat race, with Scott Buckley, driving the #25 Iscar Spike Esslinger, starting off grid 3, Kyle Larson on grid 7 and Pickens starting from grid 12.

Larson, in the #99 Lucas Oils/Auckland SsangYong Spike Esslinger, absolutely stormed through the field, getting up to third on the opening lap behind Buckley, then progressing through to the lead. Buckley held a steady pace, moving up to second on the opening lap before dropping back to fourth after a lunge for the lead, before recovering back to third. Meanwhile Pickens made steady progress to finish fifth.

Larson and Buckley lined up together again for their second heat races, with Larson off grid eight and Buckley off the back in grid 12. Again it was a good run for both drivers, Larson taking another win after seemingly passing cars at will, meaning he would be top qualifier for the feature race, while Buckley also moved forward well to claim fifth place, putting him in sixth for the feature.

Pickens, in the 1NZ Auckland SsangYong backed Breka Esslinger, started his final heat from grid three and took only until the second lap to hit the lead, driving away from the field for a win that would put him third on the grid for the 40-lap feature.

Larson, starting the feature from pole, was beaten into turn one, then Pickens got by him on lap two, dropping him to third. He went to the highline in an attempt to get back to the front of the field and on lap four, spun up and was sent to the rear of the field. Meanwhile up front, both Pickens and Buckley were involved in fierce battles, Pickens for the lead while Buckley over fourth and fifth spots with Brad Mosen. Buckley swapped positions on many occasions but in the end, secured fifth spot, while Pickens threw his all but had to settle for second. In somewhat of an incredible fight-back on a track that seemed too tough to pass on, Larson came from the back of the 20-car field to sixth spot.

The BSL Racing team now turn their attention to the 50-lap classic, to be held at Western Springs on January 5.

Press Release by BB Media