TINANA, Australia – James McFadden led every lap of a flag-to-flag main event at Fraser Shores Maryborough Speedway on Tuesday, recording his 50th QSS World Series sprint car podium in the process.
It was the first time the venue had hosted a World Series round, and the club was rewarded with a massive crowd, despite the unconventional Tuesday billing.
Tuesday also marked a return to a happy hunting ground for McFadden, who claimed his first Queensland sprint car title in Maryborough as a fresh-faced teenager back in 2009.
McFadden sealed the pole position on preliminary points through qualifying and heat races, writing a new track record of 11.051 seconds in the process, and never looked back.
It was that speed and confidence that was McFadden’s biggest asset for the 35-lap main event, as he gapped the field quickly while Brock Hallett tried to stay in touch while fending off Kerry Madsen.
It took 17 laps before Madsen wrested the runner-up spot from Hallett, who then surrendered third to Jock Goodyer six laps later.
In the final 10 rotations, the podium remained unchanged from there, despite Madsen almost coming within striking distance of McFadden on two occasions.
Hallett settled for fourth ahead of Brooke Tatnell and Pennsylvanian Lucas Wolfe.
“It was really tough to lap cars there,” McFadden said in victory lane. “The last four or five laps were terrible for me, but it’s fun when you win them. We haven’t been the top car the last few nights. We’ve been third or fourth, but this makes it all worth it.”
Andrew Corbet earned American Racer Hard Charger honors, advancing from 14th to 10th.
With his win, McFadden extended his point lead to 72 markers over Madsen, while Hallett maintains the third spot in the standings.
The finish:
James McFadden, Kerry Madsen, Jock Goodyer, Brock Hallett, Brooke Tatnell, Lucas Wolfe, Kevin Titman, Dave Murcott, Glen Sutherland, Andrew Corbet, Jason Pryde, Libby Ellis, Lachlan McHugh, Rusty Hickman, Cody Maroske.