From Valvoline Raceway
Sydney, AU — (January 2, 2016) — Brad Sweet’s night was again his last name but Sydney racer James Thompson’s was even sweeter at Valvoline Raceway tonight.
Californian Sweet scored his third main event win from four starts in clinching the first 35-lap Feature race but it was local hero James Thompson’s career first victory in the second feature of the night that had the crowd buzzing.
The Kellyville father of two was overcome with emotion as he took his first main event success in 16 years of trying.
“I can’t believe this has finally happened,” Thompson wept, “I’ve been in this position so many times and never been able to finish the job, but tonight I wasn’t giving up.”
Sweet, who finished right on his tail tank, paid tribute to the winner as Thompson hugged his wife Tina and the couples’ young children at the podium.
“That’s what drives you, moments like that,” Sweet smiled, “I did my best to take it off him but to James’ credit he never got off the rubber down line and I couldn’t get past him. He’ll remember this night for a long time.”
Thompson paid tribute to his Dad Bob, his loyal crew and his small band of dedicated sponsors.
“I felt the rubber build up on the low line and I had to keep telling myself not to move off it. I knew if I could stay down there he (Brad) would have trouble getting past. I can’t thank my crew enough for giving me a fantastic set up. This is a dream come true.”
Sweet has clearly been the man of the International Series so far with three victories from the five conducted so far – the others went to Robbie Farr and Thompson.
In Feature Race One Sweet accounted for a rapidly finishing Ian Madsen in second place and an ecstatic Jackson Delamont who was delighted to turn around a very disappointing few days with third place tonight.
Madsen seemingly flicked a switch in the dying laps of the A-Main and really got rocking in the #18 KCP / Nehring Construction KPC chassis where he zoomed into podium contention.
Delamont third but Grant Anderson was the initial livewire of the race where he led early and then had to battle Delamont and Robbie Farr to eventually secure fourth place.
Robbie Farr brought the Hi-Tec Oils Cool home in fifth ahead of Max Dumesny sixth (again racking up those USC points) Toby Bellbowen (happy to finish inside the top ten after a succession of frustrations so far this series) seventh, Sammy Walsh eighth, Warren Ferguson ninth in the Fruitwheels Transport Maxim after setting quick time and starting on the front row and Jordyn Brazier rounding out the top ten.
James Thompson was eleventh, Matt Smith twelfth, Kraig Kinser thirteenth, Matt Dumesny fourteenth, Marty Perovich fifteenth, Andrew Wright sixteenth, Darryl Campbell seventeenth, Steve Caunt eighteenth, Danny Reidy nineteenth, Grant Tunks twentieth, Max Johnston twenty-first and Craig Brady twenty-second.
DNF’s were Kasey Kahne (motor) and Ben Atkinson (front end).
FEATURE RACE TWO – USC ROUND 13
In Feature Race Two it was Thompson from Sweet and then initial pole sitter Ben Atkinson in third.
FEATURE RACE TWO – USC ROUND 13
Still smarting from an incident in Feature Race One where his left front wheel assembly collapsed and took him out of the event Atkinson was clearly disappointed also that he didn’t capitalize on his pole position start in Race Two.
“I took too long to realize that the rubber was down on the lowline,” he conceded, “I got too far back to do anything about it and had to play catch up. I’m grateful for my team and sponsors who support me but I’m disappointed in myself for letting this get away.”
Matt Dumesny brought the #57 Synpower Maxim home in a fine fourth place result after being consistent for most of the two nights (the race meeting had been cut short when a big Speedcar crash on January 1 took considerable time for safety precautions to be completed and the A-Main was not conducted that night – it was then held over into tonight).
Kraig Kinser moved from deep in the pack to an eventual fifth place in what was a quiet achiever run for the Indiana third generation racer in the Natrad #4 Maxim.
Max Dumesny showed his typical consistency to finish sixth ahead of initial front row starter Jordyn Brazier in seventh, Matt Smith in eighth, Grant Anderson in ninth and Sammy Walsh tenth.
Kasey Kahne hurt a motor in Feature Race One and returned in time to start deep in the pack for Race Two where he moved forward to eleventh by the chequers ahead of Robbie Farr in twelfth, Carl Dowling thirteenth, Californian Carson Macedo in fourteenth, Danny Reidy fifteenth, Ian Madsen sixteenth, Darryl Campbell seventeenth, Warren Ferguson eighteenth, Jamie O’Neill nineteenth, Lachlan Abbott twentieth and Craig Brady listed as the last car running twenty-first.
DNF’s were Steven Rowell and Marty Perovich.
LATE MODELS MAIN EVENT
The Late Models main event was dominated by Clayton Pyne in the Autopro Barry Wright Racecars #9 who stormed away to a convincing win over the often successful David Doherty in second spot and a very happy Bruce McKenzie filling out the final spot on the podium.
McKenzie’s third place finish was a great result for the man who only recently missed the family Christmas holiday due to a nasty leg injury he suffered in a fall in the pits.
Winner Pyne was justifiably proud of his effort.
“We’ve been working really hard on this car and it’s starting to pay off,” he smiled, “it’s great to see the fans turn out tonight and we’re grateful for the opportunity to have a run tonight with the weather looking doubtful on Tuesday when we’re scheduled to race. I hope everyone enjoyed the racing.”
Just missing the podium were Ryan Fenech in fourth place, Jessica Cassidy in fifth, Brad Goman (career best finish) in sixth, Todd Bayley seventh, Michael Hickey eighth, Robert Carrig ninth and Tim Bink tenth.
The next event at Valvoline Raceway is Sunday night, January 3 for the Peter Murphy Appreciation USC Round 14.
Ultimate Sprintcar Championship
Valvoline Raceway
Sydney, AU
Saturday January 2, 2016
Round 13 Feature:
1. 22N – James Thompson
2. 99S – Brad Sweet
3. 2C – Ben Atkinson
4. 57V – Matt Dumesny
5. 4S – Kraig Kinser
6. 5V – Max Dumesny
7. 21Q – Jordyn Brazier
8. 11N – Matt Smith
9. 37V – Grant Anderson
10. 92N – Sam Walsh
11. 4U – Kasey Kahne
12. 7NQ – Robbie Farr
13. 87W – Carl Dowling
14. 19Q – Carson Macedo
15. 5NQ – Danny Reidy
16. 18C – Ian Madsen
17. 28N – Darryl Campbell
18. 32N – Warren Ferguson
19. 24D – Jamie O’Neill
20. 94N – Lachlan Abbott
21. 74N – Craig Brady
22. 6Q – Steve Rowell
23. 17N – Marty Perovich
Round 14 Feature:
1. 99S – Brad Sweet
2. 18C – Ian Madsen
3. 48N – Jackson Delamont
4. 37V – Grant Anderson
5. 7NQ – Robbie Farr
6. 5V – Max Dumesny
7. 7N – Toby Bellbowen
8. 92N – Sam Walsh
9. 32N – Warren Ferguson
10. 21Q – Jordyn Brazier
11. 22N – James Thompson
12. 11N – Matt Smith
13. 4S – Kraig Kinser
14. 57V – Matt Dumesny
15. 17N – Marty Perovich
16. 78N – Andrew Wright
17. 28N – Darryl Campbell
18. 9N – Steve Caunt
19. 5NQ – Danny Reidy
20. 54N – Grant Tunks
21. 38N – Max Johnston
22. 74N – Craig Brady
23. 4U – Kasey Kahne
24. 2C – Ben Atkinson