NASCAR Cup Series

Latvala wins Rally of New Zealand

Published May. 9, 2010 2:39 a.m. ET

foxsports

Finland's Jari-Matti Latvala came from behind on the final stage to win the Rally of New Zealand on Sunday, edging overnight leader Sebastien Ogier of France by 2.4 seconds.

World championship leader Sebastien Loeb of France continued an astonishing comeback to lead the rally after the first of four stages on the final day but swiped a bank on the next stage and finished third, 15.2 seconds behind Latvala.

The error ended Loeb's rally winning streak at three, though he retained the lead in the season standings, 36 points ahead of Latvala after five events.

Latvala drove a Ford Focus.