MAGNIFICENT MADSEN WINS 2023 PRESIDENT’S CUP

Feature photo by: Gary Reid.

Ian Madsen soared to victory at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway in the 2023 President’s Cup on Wednesday, January 25.

It was Madsen’s first President’s Cup podium appearance after breaking James McFadden’s winning streak. McFadden was still within reach after winning the President Cup the previous two years but McFadden ultimately settled for third with a fast finishing Jamie Veal in second.

Avalon Raceway hosted a big crowd for the 2023 edition of the President’s Cup and, for the first time in years, there was a very strong line-up of American entrants with eyes on the prize. It cranked up an exciting battle between the Australian locals a day out from Australia Day.

Madsen started checking out the scorecard driving the NS4 early in the night. He was fastest in flight two time trials with a 13.039 lap and, in doing so, gained the overall quickest time award. Flight one quickest timer was Corey McCullough, flight three had McFadden fastest, flight four saw Grant Anderson quickest and flight five was Brendan Quinn at the top.

Jamie Veal rose to the top with a opening heat victory over Tate Frost in second and Taylor Prosser in third.

Heat two was won by Madsen who was quickly proving the man to beat. Second in heat two was David Donegan followed by Cameron Waters in third.

McFadden drove the D5 the top step in heat three with Brooke Tatnell and Tim Hutchins closest in second and third respectively.

Heat four would see the first and only one of the Americans who scored a heat win on the night with Brock Zearfoss getting the job done over Marcus Dumesny and Bobby Daly.

Heat five was won by the young Queenslander Ryan Newton aboard the Q66 entry in front of Brett Milburn and Brody Appleby.

With just five transfer spots up for grabs from either of the last chance main events, it was do or die for those looking to make amends. 

Texan Chase Randall had to win the C-Main and put the USA9 one step closer, Alex Attard, Jett Bell, Luke Thomas and Marcus Green also went through as well.

B-Main time put every inch of available track surface to the test. With five strong international contenders finding themselves in the B, the Aussies had to work overtime. Grant Anderson went on to take the win with Jordan Rae next in line. Carson Macedo, Sheldon Haudenschild and Brad Sweet claimed the last of the five transfer spots into the all important A-Main.

A number of cautions, including a monster ride for Tim Hutchins, slowed the momentum of the main event . . . all while Sheldon Haudenschild lurked with intent creeping through the field out of the B.

Madsen held sway in front and despite speed from Veal and McFadden, it never really looked like being taken from Madsen. Marcus Dumesny battered down the cushion trying something on the wall and put fans on the edge of their seats.

Madsen greeted the chequers after a two lap dash to the finish in front of Veal and McFadden in second and third. Brock Zearfoss and Sheldon Haudenschild remarkably out of the B-Main locked into the top five. Marcus Dumesny, Brett Milburn, Carson Macedo, Tate Frost and Brooke Tatnell completed the tightly locked top ten. Brad Sweet, Taylor Prosser, Bobby Daly and David Donegan were the last of the cars to complete the full race distance.

Newton, Rae, Waters, Hutchins, Appleby and Anderson all retired without completing the fill circuit.

Street Stocks filled the gaps perfectly putting on door to door action in both directions of the raceway. Morris Ahearn was the victor of a great battle with Mick Dann for the race lead with a few left to run. Despite front end damage and a severe re-panelling needed, Ahearn would make the move for the lead and take the win in the Main Event. Mick Dann was a narrow second with Jayden Blomeley in third.

A stunning fireworks display over the Sprintcar podium as Ian Madsen received the silverware capped off an extraordinary night of action at the “Place for Pace” in the running of the 2023 President’s Cup.