In the first of the three iconic races that mark the culmination of the international sprint car series in Australia, the President’s Cup at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway, New South Wales driver Ian Madsen claimed the victor’s laurels at the wheel of the Patti’s Hire/DTM Motorsports car.
The 38-year-old competitor won the 30-lap final from Jamie Veal (SWI Earthworks) and James McFadden (NAPA Auto Parts).
The best placed Americans were Brock Zearfoss (Goldstar Transport) and Sheldon Haudenschild (Lee Contracting) in fourth and fifth.
The feature has been a happy hunting ground for a bevy of Americans during its 40-year history.
The winner’s roll-of-honor includes Steve Kinser (twice), Tim Green, Joe Saldana, Chad Kemenah, Paul McMahan and Carson Macedo.
This year the Americans who had raced in both the East and West Coast series joined a throng of locals for the first of the three most prestigious races of the season in Victoria and South Australia.
Madsen was in flying form from the outset of the night, recording a 13.039-second fastest lap for the 430 yards oval. The top bracket after the hot laps included McFadden and Grant Anderson.
The heats were won by Veal, Madsen, McFadden, Zearfoss and Ryan Newton (Nu Trend Quality Homes).
Apart from Zearfoss, none of the American drivers finished in the top three in the heats, and had to qualify via the C and B mains.
Chase Randall won the C main.
With just five spots available on the grid, a number of the tourists were in the spotlight.
Grant Anderson, Jordan Rae, Macedo, Haudenschild and Brad Sweet claimed the transfer spots.
The 30-lap feature was punctuated by a number of stoppages, but Madsen never looked in danger of losing.
Veal and McFadden battled bravely in pursuit of the leader, but never had the pace to prevail.
Haudenschild was the biggest mover from the rear of the field, steadily gaining places as the race unfolded.
Marcus Dumesny, Brett Milburn, Carson Macedo, Tate Frost and Brooke Tatnell completed the top 10.
The sprint car teams travelled the 230-mile journey to Mt Gambier for the second of the classics, the King’s Challenge at Borderline Speedway on Jan. 26.