Kerry Madsen has emerged as Australia’s best hope of glory at tomorrow’s Knoxville Nationals, being the only Australian directly qualified into the $150,000 feature race.
Madsen will start from 15th in the 50 lap epic, whilst up front it’s a mixture of experience and youth – with Sammy Swindell starting on the pole and young Kasey Kahne Racing driver, Brad Sweet alongside.
The main Aussie interest will centre on the B-Main with Brooke Tatnell, Lynton Jeffrey and Ian Madsen all in the last chance qualifier. Tatnell starts on the bubble in fourth placing, Jeffrey starts from eighth and Madsen from 12th.
Marty Perovich will have to ‘run the alphabet’ if he is to make it into the A-Main, starting deep in the D-Main. He is in good company though, with Danny Lasoski alongside. Lasoski’s run will be one to watch.
Bruce White will line-up in the 10 lap E-Main.
In on track action from the penultimate night at the Goodyear Knoxville Nationals, Lucas Wolfe took out the World Challenge, whilst Lynton Jeffrey was the best of the Aussies home in fifth placing.
The World Challenge – which is the sister event to Warrnambool’s Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic – brings together qualified drivers and all of the Australians competing at this week’s Nationals took part.
Wolfe – who is yet to win a World of Outlaws feature race – annexed one of the biggest wins of his career. He beat home Wednesday night’s sensation, Shane Stewart – who is widely tipped as the favourite for tomorrow’s $150,000 winner’s purse, despite starting out of the 17th starting position.
Jason Sides and Jason Johnson were third and fourth home respectively.
Ian Madsen was the next best Aussie home in ninth placing, with Brooke Tatnell rounding out the 10. Sydney-siders Marty Perovich and Bruce White were 12th and 13th respectively, whilst Kerry Madsen had issues and didn’t greet the starter.
The World Challenge carries no points towards tomorrow’s A-Main. There were other main events on the night with last year’s Nationals winner, Tim Shaffer taking out the Q20 Race of Champions. Stewart finished second in this 25-lapper as well.
Lynton Jeffrey was seventh, continuing his great run at the Nationals and Kerry Madsen 21st.
Meantime, Kevin Swindell won the A-Main for drivers outside the top 50.