McFadden does historic double

James McFadden and Brady Motorsport are the undisputed dominators of speedway having added the Australian Sprintcar Title to their prolific season.

Just one week after winning a third Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic, McFadden was at it again, dominating the 2024/25 Australian Sprintcar Championship at Murray Bridge Speedway.

It is the first time the double has been achieved in 35 years since Garry Rush sealed the deal for a third time in 1990.

The Brady Motorsport #23X led all 40 laps to take a crushing 0.7s win over defending winner Lockie McHugh, who won a thrilling wheel to wheel fight with Kerry Madsen.

It was a stop-start night full of incidents but once again the combination of McFadden and crew chief Kim “Buzzy” Buzzwell reigned supreme.

This time McFadden performed the “Shoey” on the the wing without any dramas.

For McFadden it was a third title in addition to 2010 and 2013, but he was more emotional of giving Buzzwell a first.

Lockie McHugh valiantly defended the #A1. Image: Richard Hathaway

“Holy shit the #1 is going to look good on this thing,” McFadden said on Clap Per View.

“That was brutal and one of the hardest races I have raced.

“I did not know where to go and thought it was going to rubber at some point and hit the fence and bouncing off it.

“It was not that fun in the car and hopefully we made up for what we did last night and put a show on for everyone.

“The harder I pushed the worst I felt so I had to be calculated from the centre off and make sure I could get good runs so no one could slide me.

“We got to the back markers and gauged myself off them.

“To get ‘Buzzy’s first Australian title is so special. He is going go down as one of the best crew chiefs and to achieve the things we have this year is pretty special.

“What a feeling this is, being a kid watching Brooke Tatnell and Garry Rush with the #1 and now to be a three time champion is amazing.”

After a tough build up which saw the first night called early, the track conditions improved for the deciding night.

Kerry Madsen, James McFadden and Lockie McHugh on the podium. Image: Richard Hathaway

Starting from pole McFadden got a grand start and opened a huge lead on the back straight, but was unable to enjoy the fruits of it due to Luke Dillon spinning at the first turn.

Fortunately the second attempt was an instant replay leaving Anderson in second and McHugh third after a fierce fight with Dumesny.

Newton completed the top five as the race settled down across the first 10 laps.

As the second quarter of the race began, Newton was looking racey and picked off both McHugh and Charge to rocket into the top three.

The reigning Australian champion tried to fight back but could not keep up with the #Q66 which was flying.

In a handful of laps Newton set his sights on Anderson, who proved to be harder to catch in second.

By Lap 16 Newton was suddenly on the back foot and McHugh flew around the outside to wrestle back third seconds before the second caution caused by Inglis and Michael Stewart spun together.

Yet again McFadden shot away from the pack, leaving Anderson and McHugh to wrestle for second.

The pair made contact at Turn 3 before the #A1 made it stick, allowing Newton to also make a move.

He and Anderson were going side by side at the exit of Turn 2 until the latter appeared to be squeezed up too high and tragedy.

Following contact with Newton and the outside wall, Anderson fired into the air before going into a series of frightening barrel rolls.

After the track was cleared during the red the race returned and McHugh even thought about challenging McFadden for the lead before the latter put the foot down the back straight.

Newton had picked up some damage from the airborne Anderson and found himself swamped at the restart.

Kingshott went by before Marcus Dumesny also slid down the inside for fourth.

Marcus Dumesny was a contender throughout the night. Image: Richard Hathaway

However, the intense battle pack behind the top two was interrupted by Will Carroll whacking the Turn 4 wall.

It did not take long for the battle to resume however, as Dumesny snatched third from Kingshott.

With McHugh keeping up with McFadden fans were gearing up for a grandstand finish, only for the reds to return.

Chad Ely, Matt Egel and Jordyn Charge all came together down the main straight.

All three retired on the spot with Ely suffering the most damage, taking a number of tumbles.

Racing resumed with 14 to go and McFadden immediately gapped McHugh by going up high, while Kingshott made the latest move in his back and forth for third with Dumesny.

The #W2 was pushing very hard and even went up as high as possible to get a run on McHugh.

But a lap later Kingshott found himself surrounded by Dumesny and Madsen as contact with the fence popped the #W2’s right rear tyre.

Madsen had no such dramas, flying past Dumesny up high to charge from fifth to third.

If that was not enough he then went on the attack to McHugh and the pair ran wheel to wheel for two and a half thrilling laps.

Eventually McHugh prevailed down low to retain second best behind the dominant McFadden.

2025 Australian Sprintcar Title results

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