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Australian James McFadden races to victory in his first career King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series start on Saturday at the 29^thCotton Classic

By Gary Thomas

Tulare, CA – October 12, 2014…Making his first ever King of the West Series start on Saturday night Brisbane, Queensland, Australia wheel-man James McFadden became the third different leader of the main event and pulled away at the end to claim victory at the 29^th annual Cotton Classic in Tulare.

The immensely talented Aussi sat aboard the Kaeding Performance/ Factory Kahne No. 4 machine for the night and looked very comfortable in his Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway debut. McFadden started from the fifth row and steadily made his way to the front in the Willie Kahne wrenched Sprinter, taking the lead on a lap 21 restart.

“It’s pretty cool to come out here tonight and I’m pretty pumped to get a win in California,” said McFadden, who will be back in the same car for Trophy Cup this coming week. “I can’t thank Kaeding Performance & Factory Kahne enough for the opportunity. It’s a pleasure to drive such a great car like this and I can’t wait to come back next week.”

The 30-lapper came to the line with Dash winner Kyle Hirst on the pole alongside Roseville’s Sean Becker. The main event was slowed by a number of stoppages, but in between those featured some great racing on the one-third mile clay oval. Hirst jumped out to the early lead, as he looked for KWS win number five on the season. Tight battles took place all over the speedway with close quarter action on each end. The driver on the move that everyone kept their eyes on was certainly Hanford’s DJ Netto, who had the Netto Ag/ Penny Newman Grain No. 88n on a roll.

Netto made some great moves to get by cars and sliced into third, passing Sean Becker on lap 10 and then into second on lap 13 getting around Bud Kaeding. The 18-year-old would then take the lead from Hirst on a lap 16 restart as the crowd came to their feet. The defending KWS champ and current point leader didn’t let him get away however, and gave it hard run to try and track Netto back down. Hirst ran the extreme high-line in exciting fashion, while hounding Netto’s rear bumper, until getting into the wall a little too hard and slowing to a stop with right side damage.

At this same time McFadden had charged up into second and when the green flag waved again he would take the lead. Bud Kaeding then charged by Netto off turn two and the pair went into the third corner full bore battling for position. Netto’s machine took a hard bicycle and moved up the track, creating a chain reaction that ended with Jonathan Allard getting upside down and Becker also being involved. Under the red Netto exited to the work area and McFadden now found himself out front for the single file restart.

After this there was no slowing McFadden, who charged away from the field to take the Willie Williams checkered flag and gave himself lots of momentum heading into the Trophy Cup. The battle for second waged on with Sacramento’s Willie Croft able to get around Bud Kaeding to secure the position. It was another very strong run for the veteran driver, who has had one of the finest years of his career in 2014. Croft has been one of the most impressive drivers in all of California this season.

“This was another great run for us tonight, but I’m tired of finishing second,” Croft joked in victory circle. “We’ve had a great season and I really have to thank all the guys that have helped me out this year. We plug people in at times and they’ve all worked really hard. As bad as the month of July was to us, the rest of the time we’ve been consistently in the top-five every night. I’m excited for the Trophy Cup next week in the Rudeen Racing 26.”

Bud Kaeding held off his dad Brent Kaeding in a close late-race battle for the third spot. It was another consistent outing for the three-time USAC Silver Crown champ. “Things were definitely exciting out there tonight and it was a lot of fun,” Bud commented. “This is one of those races I’ve always wanted to win. That cotton bale trophy is such a cool piece and I remember coming to this event when I was a kid. Hope everyone comes back for Trophy Cup next week because you’re going to see some pretty insane racing with slide jobs and more.”

Brent Kaeding earned the KSE Hard Charger Award with another solid outing in KWS competition by charging from 20^th to fourth. Hirst made an impressive rebound to carve his way back to fifth at the conclusion. The 26-year-old was one of the fastest cars on the track at the end and showed he will be a definite contender at next week’s Trophy Cup. The top-10 was rounded out by Scotts Valley’s Evan Suggs, Fremont’s Shane Golobic, Allard, Netto and Grass Valley’s Jason Statler.

Kyle Hirst claimed the six-lap Dash and also won his heat race, with Evan Suggs, Shane Golobic and Tim Kaeding earning the other three 10-lap heats. Willie Croft won the Last Chance Showdown, while Jonathan Allard opened the night by setting fast time. Full results will be available at www.kwssprints.com

The King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series will now get set for championship night at the Stockton Dirt Track on November 1. Tickets for that event are on sale by calling 916-370-9417. The Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is right back in action next Thursday, Friday & Saturday with the 21^st annual Southwest Contractors Trophy Cup. Tickets are on sale at 559-688-0909. All seating is reserved at the Trophy Cup.

Photos courtesy of Collin Markle Photography

www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com

Does Willie Kahne not work on the KKR Outlaw teams anymore?  Was the McFadden car actually a KKR owned car or someone else?  Just curious

From what was explained to me, Willie runs Factory Kahne Shocks. Hence him working on this car. (That's my understanding)

An Aussie goes to Cali and whips the asses of the locals in his first career King of the West 410 start? Not surprising that the Cali. posters who endlessly thump their chests on here are nowhere to be found,.

I am sure it just a mere coincidence that the board's Cali. chest thumpers are deep in hiding after an outsider invades and delivers an ass-kicking en route to plucking the winner's share of the purse.

That is a Kaeding Performance sponsored car, Doesn't that make it a Cali car?

You're from pa aren't you?

I dont care if a driver is from the moon.I like good drivers and fast cars.There were several fast cars at Tulare.Kyle Hirst was a rocket.Dj Netto was fast.McFadden was fast and smooth.I had a great time and made some new friends.Cant wait for the trophy cup.Take care,The Buckleyz from Cali......

If you dont know who James McFadden is and just how good he is you're the clueless jackass pal! Lets see, the Cali guys swept the Gold Cup. So I guess since they whipped the Outlaws it makes McFadden's accomplishment of beating the Cali locals ALL that much better for him. I thought it was cool to see a guy come in and do that. Especially at Tulare a track where you have to display great bravery and be slightly crazy to be fast. 

Go troll a different thread dumbass, you can get back to me when your guys get in the top 3 again at an Outlaws show.

Cheers!

Kyle Hirst getting a flat tire and Jon Allard, Sean Becker and DJ Netto all getting caught up likely changed the outcome of this race. Ca fans appreciate good racing no matter who wins and dont look for excuses if a non local wins, unlike other certain fans. 

Typical posse fan. They have to try to degrade other areas when they can't defend their own.

Their asses must still be sore from the Grove.  Go sit on a cushion.

And the winners of the 410, 360, and non-wing races at Eldora this past Saturday were all from California.
California produces some great talent year after year......and I'm originally from PA.

You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYBhWrXMlFU

Last week was a warmup race, with many potential CA favorites racing elsewhere or saving their equipment for the Trophy Cup.

Funny, when I go to a sprint car race, I root for the drivers, not from where they are from, or who claims them.  Congrats to James mcFadden on his great drive and big win against some stout competition.  It woudn't surprise me if he wins the Trophy Cup too, but I would place my $ on Rico, Allard or Myers (along with a bunch more too many to list all of them).

Truth is the Posse have been of no consequence for some time now.  Their two guys who win the most are Ex-Outlaw drivers Hodnett and Smith and while I'm a fan of Double D he's not competitive against the big dogs anywhere but Lincoln.  Once again the long PA drought looks like it's still in place.  It's hard to believe an area with so much sprint car racing just can't produce anyone with nationwide success which is why the cheerleaders get a little restless and run their silly mouths in this forum, so sad.....

Henry, King of the name calling mouth breathers with his stooge Chad right behind him with wonderful insight as usual.

McFadden is the two time Australian World Series Sprintcar Champion as in best Australian driver out there who is still racing in Australia on a regular basis and driving a California car which was driven by Brad Sweet last year at Trophy Cup.

Oh great the harpy old broad is back...

Cheers!

Floyd the barber has reading comprehension issues and thinks he is cool but is Just another keyboard wannabe tough guy who gets schooled about every time he posts. Kinda funny and creepy that he does like stalking and trolling whenever you, Laudarevsonhunt or I post anything. I doubt he even goes to the Trophy Cup.

You certainly have a longer trip than I do coming from your house.