T - Mac Handles W S S Australia Day Event At Sungold Stadium
Wednesday, 27 January 2010 by Gavin White
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In an ironic end to Australia Day, Uncle Sam’s finest took the top four places in round 12 of Performance Wholesale World Series Sprintcars tonight at Warrnambool’s Sungold Stadium. Altoona, Iowa’s World of Outlaw star Terry McCarl was victorious over Knoxville, Iowa’s Wayne Johnson and now Ohio based Danny Smith in third. In the event presented by Heytesbury Stockfeeds, Louisiana’s Jason Johnson finished a fighting fourth while first Australian home in fifth place was young gun James McFadden.
On another superbly prepared surface the top five starting positions in the 30 lap final was Vortex Wings Pole Shootout winner Jonathan Allard, Jason Johnson, Craig Dollansky, Terry McCarl and Danny Smith. The race got underway with the American’s dominating the Australia Day event and soon the top 6 places in the main event when Wayne Johnson scorched from tenth into position 6 ahead of James McFadden.
Allard remained clear ahead of Johnson and quickly approached lapped traffic before Ian Madsen brought the cautions on during lap 7. B-main transferees Brooke Tatnell and Classic winner Shane Stewart paired up on a mission to race to the front of the final.
Allard continued to lead the field as McCarl charged by Jason Johnson and eventually took the lead on lap 12 from Allard as Wayne Johnson got by Dollansky on lap 16 for third. Wayne Johnson was doing everything he could to work by Jason Johnson when Dollansky was also working himself back into the mix as everyone was chasing Allard for second.
A late race yellow was brought on as a spinning Steve Caunt who amazingly kept the car going and drove back up track before stalling in the path of both Allard and Dollansky. Dollansky’s night ended with damage to the steering after contact with Caunt when he was left with nowhere to go. Dollansky’s American counterpart Allard also suffered in the incident when he bumped the wall as he tried to drive around Caunt and cut a left rear tire down following the contact.
The race resumed with 7 to go with McCarl leading to the chequered flag to win ahead of Wayne Johnson, Danny Smith and Jason Johnson, James McFadden, Brooke Tatnell, Shane Stewart and Ryan Farrell. David Murcott was ninth ahead of Max Dumesny, Jamie Veal, Steven Lines, Bryan Mann, Steve Caunt and Ian Madsen.
McCarl was his typical charasmatic self at the post race presentations where he proudly spoiled all the celebrations of Australia Day dressed in an Australian Flag along with oversized blown up hands!
“Happy Australia Day, I love it!” proclaimed McCarl.
McCarl also had to endure minor engine issues late in the race despite his Rod Mathews owned USA #24 carrying great car speed.
“I am not sure what happened I think we broke a rocker, hell that sounds like an excuse so we had a great car and I am real happy that these guys gave me an opportunity to race,”
“It’s easy to stand up here when you win but you guys are the best fans and you make it so fun for the Americans to come here and race.”
Wayne Johnson was understandably pleased with his results after a tough week driving for a pleased Victorian car owner Brett Smith.
“Hell I can’t believe they had me back after the year I had last year. Maybe I can get back at Christmas time next year and get this thing sorted earlier and win a race or two.”
“To come out of here in second after the week we have had is awesome.”
The four transferees into the A-main from the last chance B-main were Steven Lines, Robbie Farr and amazingly your second and first place winners from the 2010 Classic, Brooke Tatnell and Shane Stewart. A great race between the top six drivers was simply awesome while Jason Sides missed the transfer along with Steven Bell and Grant Anderson. Kerry Madsen rode out a spectacular flip on the main straight after riding the right rear of Domain Ramsay.
Tim Morse hung on for the transfer with Jason Kendrick from the C into the B-main. The last chance event was punctuated by a wild crash in turn 4 involving Glen Saville, Simon Van Ginneken and Danny Reidy. Saville’s mount flipped and stood on its nose for what seemed like an eternity for crashing back to earth.
The major winner from the dash sessions was American Jonathan Allard who came all the way from sixth highest qualifier to qualify pole position in the A-main.
Heat Race wins went to Ryan Farrell (2), Mitchell Dumesny, Kerry Madsen (2), Danny Smith, Grant Anderson and Shane Stewart.
Quick time for the evening was feature winner Terry McCarl with a 10.952 second lap.
A shortened feature for the Australian Wingless Sprints saw Warrnambool veteran Phil Johnson win from Glenn Watts with Paul Drew in third. Numerous incidents ensured the race was cut short the most spectacular being the wicked flip by Troy Small who end for ended his #88 in turn 1. Incredibly Small walked from the scene uninjured however the same can’t be said for his car.
Heat race wins went to Andy Caruana, Johnson, Andy Hibbert and Paul Drew.
Sungold Stadium now sets it’s sights on February 13 when the Speedcar Super Series makes its way to the famed highbanks for the very first time. Also on the card will be the Australian Wingless Sprints Super Six Series.
A reminder that the Race Info Line 9513 5555 contains all the information for upcoming events.
For more details phone General Manager David Mills 0408 529 625
Website – www.premierspeedway.com.au
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Sungold Stadium, Premier Speedway is located 3 hours South West of Melbourne near the beautiful coastal city of Warrnambool. Steeped in tradition Sungold Stadium is a AAA rated venue offering excellent facilities for competitors, spectators and officials alike.
Located only a short driver from the internationally acclaimed Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, there is loads for tourists to the area to see and do.
