After being delayed a year because of COVID restrictions and attracting the best field of Australian and American drivers to contest the prestigious event, the 50th running of the Grand Annual Sprint Car Classic Iived up to its billing.
There were a number of early retirements in the 40-lap feature including Randy Morgan, Luke Oldfield, Chase Randall and Cameron Waters in the first few laps.
James McFadden set the pace early, racing from third position on the grid to the lead within a few laps, where he led Sheldon Haudenschild and Brock Hallett.
Cole Macedo brought out the red lights when he had a massive roll on lap seven.
McFadden looked like the favorite win until a brush with the wall damaged his suspension, allowing Haudenschild to grab the lead.
The American seemed set for a fairytale repeat of his father Jac’s victories 40 years earlier when a slightly untidy line off turns one and two of the final lap gave the pursuing Hallett an opening.
Racing off the back for the checker, Hallett charged high around the leader on turn four, edging out Haudenschild by just 0.122 seconds to claim the $50,000-to-win South West Conveyancing Classic.
Lachlan McHugh scored the final podium position in the race at Premier Speedway.
It was the popular local Portland-based driver’s biggest win. He previously acknowledged that “Sprint cars have been up and down for me – I’ve always been thereabouts” but hadn’t had huge success.
“He had a little wobble out of turn two and I saw him go to the bottom and I just had to sent it there [high],” said Hallett after the race. “I didn’t know if I was going to end up in the fence or come out with the win.”
Jock Goodyer was fourth, ahead of James McFadden, who managed to earn fifth despite a damaged car.
Tate Frost was sixth, followed by Cory Eliason, Kerry Madsen, Aaron Reutzel and Jamie Veal.
Carson Macedo, Brad Sweet and Marcus Dumesny also finished on lap 40, with Tyler Courtney, Ian Madsen, Brook Zearfoss and Matt Egel a lap down.