But someone had to win the event and that made room for Steiner, who had started at the back of the grid going into the final race.
He continually made up places, including overtaking four drivers on the final lap, and earned a good enough placing to win his first world 240s title.
He had earlier finished first and fifth in the first two races - with points added across all three races.
"I was lucky I had a little bit of help from some teammates," an elated Steiner said, after the event.
"I was in the same position two years ago and I got absolutely wasted by the Palmerston North onslaught ... so it was awesome to come away with the win today."
He said it rated as his best win ever as a driver and he had raced the world 240s about 10 to 15 times.
He said going into the final race he knew he had to steadily move up the field.
"I was starting off the back and I knew I just had to go, put my head down and go, not get tied up with anyone or hung into the fence.
"A couple of guys had a go at putting me into the wall but I managed to get out of it and the teammates come through and gave me a hand, so it was awesome."
After winning the race, the hometown driver received massive applause from the Rotorua crowd, which numbered in the thousands.
The win also gives Steiner an entry into a world invitational event in Great Britain later this year.
Second place had to be determined by a run-off (head-to-head) race after Jordan Dare (Palmerston North) and Scott Joblin (Palmerston North) were tied on points.
Dare won the run-off and claimed second overall, with Joblin in third.
International drivers are invited to the world 240s each year, which gives it a world status. Four drivers from Great Britain were entered this year but missed out on the podium.
