Local Sydney driver Ian Madsen has won the biggest race of his career by defeating the world’s best Sprintcar racer Donny Schatz at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway this evening. Madsen claimed victory in the $10,000 to win Hogs Breath Caf International ahead of Schatz and Marty Perovich in one of the best races seen at the venue for some time. For the majority of the 30-lap journey Madsen, Schatz and Australian Champion Garry Brazier were engaged in a titanic battle for the top three spots. Schatz found his way to the front at half race distance and the majority of the large crowd expected that he would run away to dominate the race, however, it wasn’t to be. Schatz’s World of Outlaws team owner and NASCAR Legend Tony Stewart continued to adapt to the tricky Parramatta surface by setting the third fastest time during qualifying before finishing fifth in the feature race. “I’ve got a good car to drive and a great teacher with Donny here so I’m learning a little bit more each night and felt a lot more comfortable tonight compared to the first night I was here,” said Stewart. “The track was definitely a little difficult tonight, the weather over the last couple of days has really made the track a little trickier than what I’m used to. I’m not used to them being quite as ‘ledgey’ as it was and cars kind of banging the right rear off the cushion, but it makes it fun. You have to work hard at getting into a rhythm and make consistent laps. I felt like over the last 15 laps of tonight’s main I got a lot better and my lap times didn’t fall off as much as the cars in front of me and I was making time. I’ve still got a little way to be as good as good as Donny, Garry and Madsen but I’m learning a lot. In saying that though, for a guy who only runs three or four Sprintcar races a year I’ve been pretty pleased with the last couple of nights.” Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway will fire up again this Saturday night for the opening night of the $50,000 to win Scott Darley Memorial race followed by the final night on Sunday. Joining the American trio of Schatz, Stewart and Tim Shaffer at this event will be fellow American Jason Johnson and Australian stars Brooke Tatnell, Robbie Farr, Max Dumesny and Ryan Farrell.(BAM Media)(12-29-2009)
