By Trevor Jackson
AMERICAN Sprintcar racer Sheldon Haudenschild spoiled James McFadden’s hopes of a three-peat in the Kings Challenge last week at the Borderline Speedway.
McFadden held the hopes of the crowd as he chased his third straight victory in the time-honoured event, but it was not to be, as Haudenschild proved too strong.
While the American was fast, he certainly did not have it all his own way, as he held off Kerry Madsen and Jy Corbet, with the latter showing plenty of pace after coming through from the B Main to take his place in the big dance.
Haudenschild showed his pace in heat six, where he finished second behind Luke Dillon and ahead of Mount Gambier’s Glen Sutherland.
In heat 12 Haudenschild came through the field to finish second from a ninth-place start, but had to be content with sixth place on the grid for the A Main feature race.
Fellow American Chase Randall qualified on pole, with another US driver, Carson Macedo, in seventh.
Unfortunately for McFadden, two third place heat finishes saw him start out of 12th place and he managed to work his way up to fifth at the A Main chequered flag.
Daniel Pestka claimed the win in the C Main and started out of 12th in the B Main, but was unable to keep his night going, with seventh place not enough to transfer to the big dance.
Australia #1 Jock Goodyer did not have a good night, having won the B Main to transfer, but a DNF ended his run, while the local hopes pinned on Sutherland saw a 14th place finish after qualifying in 15th.
For the Wingless Sprints support category, Nate Trewin claimed the honours from Chris Ansell and Dillon Siely.
Speedway president Cary Jennings said he was pleased with how the night panned out, with strong support from fans.
“We had around 3500 people there4,” he said.
“That is down a bit on last year but it was a good crowd.”
