James McFadden won his third Australian Title at Murray Bridge Saturday (Phil Michell Photo) (Video Highlights from DirtVision.com)
James McFadden became a three-time Australian Sprintcar Champion after dominating the 2025 Clearview Accessories supported event at the Murray Machining and Sheds Murray Bridge Speedway. After winning his final heat race McFadden started from the pole and he was never headed in the 40-lap finale as he ran the top groove with precision. His victory also broke a 35-year drought as he became the first driver since Garry Rush in 1990 to complete the Australian Championship / Grand Annual Sprintcar double.
“I can’t believe the run we have had this year. Sheldon and Buzzy has put together an amazing Team and to win the two biggest races in Australia in our first year is a credit to hard work everyone has put in. Plus, to get Buzzy his first Australian Championship is pretty special” added James following the win.
“We decided that the top would be the place to run, and we stuck to it. I knew the rubber was on the bottom, but I never saw anyone really challenge me for the lead, so I didn’t need to go down there to use it.”
Defending Australian Champion Lockie McHugh put in an outstanding drive to secure the runner-up position as he drove without power steering for a majority of the race. Following his heat race the SRV Team replaced the power steering box and the pump, but the issue wasn’t solved therefore McHugh was lucky to finish on the podium.
“That was a tough race. Credit to James and the Brady Team they did an impressive job. Without power steering I just had to run the bottom and hang on. It will be hard to give the #1 back but we will just go to Mount Gambier next year and try to get it back” added the outgoing Champion.
His runner-up result continued his podium streak in the event having finished second or better in the last three editions of the National Title.
Four-time Champion Kerry Madsen completed the podium driving the Diamond Bay #26 after starting from position 8 in the 20-car field, proving that despite his age he is still among the best drivers in the world.
Queenslander Ryan Newton had an eventful race, but he battled through to finish fourth despite the right rear and top wing damage that was sustained a nasty crash with Grant Anderson in turn two while battling for a podium position.
2022 National Champion Marcus Dumesny used the bottom groove to eventually finish fifth after running as high as third while an impressive Ben Morris the best of the locals in sixth ahead of Jock Goodyer, Queenslander Brodie Davis, with South Australians Joel Heinrich and Dylan Jenkin completing the top 10.
For Goodyer, it was a tough final night after leading his heat race convincingly until he was caught up in an accident as he attempted the lap the slower cars. Western Australian Andrew Priolo rolled in turn two leading the former Champion nowhere to go with the contact deflating the left front tyre. Goodyer would then retire forcing him into a B-Main start instead of a top five starting position in the A-Main.
Western Australian James Inglis, Sydney’s Michael Stewart and Luke Dillon, who spun on the opening lap completed the finishers.
Among the drivers who failed to finish included Dayne Kingshott, who suffered a right rear puncture after hit the wall while running third, Chad Ely who rolled on the front straight, Matt Egel and Jordyn Charge, who were caught up in the Ely crash, Will Carroll, who hit the turn four wall, and Grant Anderson, who totally destroyed his immaculate #37 after the contact with Ryan Newton.
Earlier 38 drivers returned for the reaming five heat races with Anderson, McFadden, McHugh, Dumesny and Newton all securing wins. Jock Goodyer, Matt Egel, Michael Stewart, and Jason Pryde all tagged onto the back of the Championship decider while Keke Falland and Randy Morgan were the reserves.
Release and Photo by Phil Michell Motorsport Media for Sprintcarworld.au
A Main Results (started)
1.James Mcfadden WX23 (1)
2.Lachlan McHugh A1 (3)
3.Kerry Madsen W26 (8)
4.Ryan Newton Q66 (5)
5.Marcus Dumesny N47 (4)
6.Ben Morris S3 (14)
7.Jock Goodyer T22 (17)
8.Brodie Davis Q16 (13)
9.Joel Heinrich S16 (16)
10.Dylan Jenkin S50 (15)
11.James Inglis W80 (12)
12.Jason Pryde W14 (20)
13.Michael Stewart NS14 (19)
14.Luke Dillon S98 (7)
15.Dayne Kingshott W2 (9)
16.Chad Ely S22 (10)
17.Jordyn Charge NT11 (6)
18.Matt Egel S52 (18)
19.Will Carol NT25 (11)
20.Grant Anderson V37 (2)