James McFadden won this year's Sprintcar Classic in Warrnambool (Phil Michell Photo)
(Premier Speedway Media) James McFadden buried some demons of Classic’s past when he wheeled his Milwaukee Tools W17 to victory lane on night number three of the 45th Lucas Oil Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic.
McFadden entered the 40 lap feature event as the high points man, narrowly eclipsing Brooke Tatnell for that honour after the final eight heats of the program.
In front of a full house, McFadden was able to outrun Tatnell and current Aussie Champ Kerry Madsen before Madsen began to fade as Darren Mollenoyux staked a claim for third place with Brad Sweet also beginning to make some.
However there was to be no denying McFadden, with second half of the 40 lap journey being punctuated by a number of caution periods and two red light stoppages.
In the end it would be McFadden home in first claiming the $30,000.00 pay day for his efforts, while Warrnambool’s own Darren Mollenoyux claimed a career best Classic result with a late race pass on Tatnell for second with the three time Aussie Champion wheeling his KMS Hot Rod into third.
They were followed by Brad Sweet (4th), Kerry Madsen (5th), Luke Dillon (6th), Kyle Hirst (7th), Ian Madsen (8th), Steven Lines (9th) with David Murcott in 10th.
The Skwid Signs Hard Charger Award of the A-Main was Cory Eliason (USA00), who progress eight positions to finish 12th, while the Thomo’s Race Graphix Hard Luck Award went to Bradley Keller (S19) after he was unable to avoid a racing incident with another car whilst running inside the top ten.
The Ian Sheppard Award as presented to the Driver whom accumated the most A-Main points over the President’s Cup (Avalon Raceway), King’s Challenge (Borderline Speedway) and Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic (Premier Speedway) also went to James McFadden.
The Classic is again a qualifying event for the Speed Sport News Challenge which will be held during the Knoxville Nationals next August.
The 2017 45th edition of the Lucas Oil Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic was supported by the following sponsors; Oval Express Magazine, KRE Race Engines, The Lady Bay Resort and GJ Gardner Homes.
Feature Results
1. James McFadden W17
2. Darren Mollenoyux V52
3. Brooke Tatnell W2
4. Brad Sweet USA99
5. Kerry Madsen A1
6. Luke Dillon S81
7. Kyle Hirst V10
8. Ian Madsen W66
9. Steven Lines W3
10. David Murcott Q83
11. Lachlan McHugh Q23
12. Corey Eliason USA0
13. Carson Macedo N99
14. Terry McCarl V29
15. Luke Oldfield Q17
16. Dominic Scelzi USA1
1 7. Robbie Farr Q7