World Series Sprintcars Champion, James McFadden has come perilously close to taking victory in just his second World of Outlaws event in Canada, leading at least 20 of the 35 laps of the feature race at the Autodrome Drummondville in Quebec.
McFadden began the feature in fourth but made his way into second placing in the opening turns. He then set the World of Outlaws scene on its ear by taking the lead over Joey Saldana into turn three and then streeted the field until hitting traffic six laps into the race.
A number of caution periods starting on lap 10 caused the field to be bunched, including one for Tony Stewart Racing team-mates, Donny Schatz and Steve Kinser – Schatz enduring a number of hard flips. McFadden held his nerve to continue holding out the vastly experienced Saldana.
The quietly spoken Queensland-based Northern Territorian was caught high while trying to get past a slower driver. The small space that opened up down track was all the motivation Saldana needed – sneaking past the young Aussie. He had a tough drive for the final 10 laps, the spectre of McFadden was right with him all the way.
It was nearly silver and bronze for Australia in Canada, with World of Outlaws regular, Kerry Madsen sitting third for much of the affair, however spun on the final lap. The crash between Kinser and Schatz allowed Craig Dollansky to move into the points lead for the first time this year.
There is little doubt though that the entire Sprintcar world is talking about just one man at the moment and his name is James McFadden.
“I knew those guys would race hard in the first corner and I just thought I’d be conservative and hit the bottom,” McFadden said of the opening lap. “It worked out for us. I’m absolutely cannot believe we did what we did here. Those guys are my heroes and I’ve grown up watching them, so to race wheel to wheel with the best of the Outlaws in just my second event here and be competitive is a pretty good feeling.”
The performance sets McFadden up nicely for his next events which will take place back in the USA, including the Knoxville Nationals in early August.
