From BAM Media
Local Sprintcar driver Glen Saville has upstaged his more fancied rivals to claim victory on the opening night of the Scott Darley $50,000 to win presented by Coca Cola at Sydney’s Tyrepower City Raceway this evening.
The Cambden resident put in a mature drive and took full advantage of every opportunity that came his way during the 30-lap preliminary main event to claim the first feature race of his career.
“It’s a pretty good feeling to know I’ve beaten some of the best guys in the world, even more so when it is the first feature win of my career,” said Saville, who was seeded 22nd entering the two-night event.
“I’m under illusions the front row start helped me but I when I was in the lead I had to put the fact that the other guys were behind me to the back of my mind.
“It’s a great confidence boost going into tomorrow night’s main event.”
Saville took the win ahead of the East Coast Pipeline driver Robbie Farr and four-time World of Outlaws Champion Donny Schatz.
“I probably played with too many things in terms of the set-up for the feature race, but then again this is the night to try things because tomorrow is when it matters most,” said Schatz.
“I still had a car that was good enough to win but I just made a mistake and got caught up in the lapped traffic which meant I lost some ground.
“We’ll come back tomorrow night and hopefully be right on the money.”
Skip Jackson was the early race leader on the slick surface, however, when James Thompson spun in front of Jackson midway through the race it forced him to take evasive action. He lost a number of positions in the process before eventually crossing the line ninth.
“I didn’t time too well but my heat race was good and I was looking good in the feature race until a lapped car spun in front of me, I was lucky to miss him but it cost me a heap of spots,” said Jackson.
“The track was real dry, so to start up the front was a big advantage, something you needed to take advantage of and I nearly did.”
NASCAR Legend Tony Stewart showed his true class by mastering the slick surface during qualifying ahead of fellow American Danny Smith.
Stewart followed this performance up with a second place finish in his heat race before running strongly in the feature race to record a sixth place finish.
“I probably guessed the wrong way in terms of set-up during tonight’s feature race but we learnt a heap for tomorrow,” said Stewart.
“It was a bit of trial and error tonight but I felt a lot more comfortable in the car than the last couple of nights. I set quick time and finished second in my heat race which was pleasing.
“The speed of the track tonight was a bit more to my liking and the race pace was slower on the slick surface, I enjoyed myself out there again and am looking forward to tomorrow’s final night.”
After the opening night’s action, American sprintcar veteran Danny Smith leads the points standings on 489 points ahead of Schatz (488) and Stewart (487).
Tomorrow night’s action will consist of the dash races and the main events, which culminate in the 40-lap extravaganza where first place will claim the $50,000 winners cheque.
SCOTT DARLEY $50,000 TO WIN
presented by Coca-Cola at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway
Preliminary Night Feature Race
1. Glen Saville
2. Robbie Farr
3. Donny Schatz
4. Danny Smith
5. Tim Schaffer
6. Tony Stewart
7. Jason Johnson
8. Ian Madsen
9. Skip Jackson
10. Brooke Tatnell
11. Grant Anderson
12. Ryan Farrell
13. Ian Loudoun
14. Warren Ferguson
15. Garry Brazier
16. Danny Reidy
17. Max Dumesny
18. Mitchell Dumesny
19. Kerry Madsen
20. Steve Caunt
21. James Thompson
22. Paul Freeman
23. Andrew Wright
24. Marty Perovich
Top 20 Points Standings after Night 1 of 2
1. Danny Smith 489
2. Donny Schatz 488
3. Tony Stewart 487
4. Robbie Farr 484
5. Tim Shaffer 483
6. Brooke Tatnell 466
7. Glen Saville 463
8. Jason Johnson 456
9. Skip Jackson 454
10. Ian Loudon 446
11. Warren Ferguson 445
12. Ian Madsen 445
13. Ryan Farrell 442
14. Marty Perovich 438
15. Kerry Madsen 436
16 Mitchell Dumesny 434
17. James Thompson 427
18. Grant Anderson 418
19. Max Dumesny 417
20. Danny Reidy 413