As the saying goes, nothing good comes easy, and for Jason Duell, his podium result in last Saturday night’s NSW Street Stock Title at Broken Hill Speedway most certainly didn’t come easy.
Just a fortnight out from the running of the NSW Title, Duell and his team had to burn the midnight oil just to make it to the event after his SA # 18 Duells Furniture Removals supported VZ Holden Commodore was severely damaged in a crash at Ballarat’s Redline Raceway in Victoria.
Managing to rebuild the car just in time, Duell went on to qualify fifth for the 30-lap NSW Title-deciding feature race before earning his spot on the podium with a third-place finish at the fall of the chequered flag. All of this was achieved with a damaged steering rack and a deflated left-rear tyre.
“A big thanks must go out to my team, along with a few others, for all of their efforts in getting the car rebuilt; their help made finishing on the podium even more special because it was a great way for me to repay them,” commented the Mount Gambier, South Australia-based racer.
“I had a really busy run throughout the feature race with a few mechanical issues, but I was able to persist through those setbacks and still come away with a podium result.”
For Duell and his VZ Holden Commodore that he drove to victory in last season’s Northern Territory Title, it was their final appearance together before he is set to debut a new VZ Holden Commodore, just in time for a busy run next month with the National and Victorian Titles at Mildura’s Timmis Speedway, and the South Australian Title at Whyalla’s Westline Speedway.
“The team and I had quite a ride with the old VZ Holden Commodore, with a mixture of highs and lows,” the 34-year-old racer explained.
“It’s not ideal to debut a new car at a massive event like a National Title; however, it is what it is, and I’m confident that we can enjoy a good weekend and start our journey with this new car off on the right foot.”
Duell is a two-time National Street Stock Title minor podium finisher, placing second in 2002 at Arunga Park Speedway (Alice Springs, NT) and a third in 2013 at his home track: Borderline Speedway.
The 2018-19 season National Street Stock Title will be held at Timmis Speedway on the weekend of March 9 and 10, with the Victorian and South Australian Titles taking place over the two following weekends.
Duell would like to thank his valued 2018-19 season sponsors: Duell’s Furniture Removalists, KKS Manufacturing, Razztech Motorsports, Skwid Signs, GW Racing, and Used Parts Australia.
