Kerry Madsen will start a red-hot favourite for Australia’s biggest sprintcar week of the year, starting tonight at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway.

Madsen, the reigning national champion, will start as the man to catch at tonight’s President’s Cup, tomorrow’s King’s Challenge in Mount Gambier, and this weekend’s 46th running of the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway.

The 46-year-old veteran is fresh from claiming the Speedweek title in the World Series Sprintcars, and dominating both nights of last weekend’s Scott Darley Challenge in Sydney.

A capacity field of 50 cars will contest tonight’s President’s Cup, with Madsen spearheading a star-studded field including James McFadden, Jamie Veal, Brooke Tatnell, and Robbie Farr.

The field swells to 55 for tomorrow night at Mount Gambier for the King’s Challenge, which takes on added significance a week out from the Australian Sprintcar Championships at Borderline Speedway.

A blockbuster field of 111 cars will then contest the three-night Warrnambool Classic, which begins on Friday night.

“At 111 cars, it’s the biggest sprintcar field in the world again, which we take tremendous pride in,” Premier Speedway General Manager David Mills told Speedcafe.com.

“We love the fact that the Classic is more than just a race; it’s an event, like the Knoxville Nationals.

“With the form he’s in, Kerry has to be the favourite for a fourth Classic title.”

Eleven Americans are among the field, highlighted by former Knoxville Nationals champion Jason Johnson, former Classic winner Tim Kaeding, and the likes of Terry McCarl, Carson Macedo and 16-year-old sensation Michael Kofoid.

Speedcafe.com will have full results from each of the next five nights of racing.