James McFadden won the King's Challenge in Mt. Gambier (Video Highlights from ClayPerView.com)
by Brett Murray
Star Australian sprintcar driver James McFadden has had the perfect preparation for this weekend’s Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic, with a show stopping win last night in the King’s Challenge.
McFadden dominated the traditional lead into the Classic at Mount Gambier’s Borderline Speedway, leading every lap to have his confidence primed for the sport’s biggest weekend.
In front of a capacity holiday crowd, McFadden beat home in-form Tasmanian Jock Goodyer and veteran Jamie Veal in an all Aussie podium on Australia Day
“That was a serious hot rod I got to play with in the feature, so credit to my guys who have been working so hard,” said McFadden.
“This is the right time of the year to be finding some form so hopefully we can keep this rolling to Warrnambool.”
It comes off the back of a third placed finish for Australia’s sole World of outlaws full-timer on Wednesday night at Avalon raceway.
At that event Sydney’s Ian Madsen led home Veal and McFadden to take out the Presidents Cup.
McFadden is spearheading a brand new team, which includes IndyCar star Scott McLaughlin and AFL great Jack Riewoldt as co-owners.
Hodges Motorsport has been set up by former Warrnambool local Tim Hodges, who is a sports producer in Melbourne.
All focus now moves to the biggest prize in Australian speedway with the 50th anniversary edition of the Classic at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway.
A stunning car count has hit 120 for the Classic which will run tonight and tomorrow before Sunday night’s final which is already sold out.
Results
B main #1: 1. Cody Maroske. Q27 2. Marcus Dumesny A1 / 3. Tate Frost T62 4. Carson Macedo N99 5. Kevin Titman Q59 6. Jessie Attard N55 7. Hayden Pitt S7 8. Chad Ely S98 9. Aaron Reutzel USA56 10. Peter Doukas V98 11. Adam Garwood T6 12. Scott Enderl S11 13. Will Carroll NT25 14. Lisa Walker S4 15. Brooke Tatnell T77 16. Brendan Quinn S14 17. Ben Morris S3 18. Josh Buckingham V49 19. Ryan Jones S63 20. Bobby Daly V8
B main #2: 1. Sheldon Haudenschild USA25 2. Grant Anderson V11 / 3. Taylor Prosser Q91 4. Todd Moule D26 5. Ian Madsen NS4 6. Cory Eliason W26 7. Randy Morgan Q54 8. Dennis Jones V17 9. Cameron Waters V6 10. Tim Hutchins T7 11. Joel Heinrich S16 12. Max Vidau S72 13. Mark Pholi Q14 14. Jett Bell V88 15. Daniel Sayre N16 16. Glen Sutherland S20 17. Chase Randall USA9 18. Cole Macedo T14 19. Ryan Newton Q66 20. Nicholas Whell Q21
A main: 1. James McFadden D5 2. Jock Goodyer T22 3. Jamie Veal V35 4. Brock Hallett Q5 5. Steven Lines Q83 6. Sheldon Haudenschild USA25 7. Luke Dillon S81 8. Matt Egel S52 9. Marcus Dumesny A1 10. Jye Okeeffe VA15 11. Brock Zearfoss W95 12. Rusty Hickman V45 13. Lachlan McHugh NQ7 14. Kerry Madsen W2 15. Matthew Dumesny N57 16. Callum Williamson W3 17. Daniel Pestka S27 18. Tyler Courtney W17 19. Cody Maroske. Q27 20. Grant Anderson V11