WARRNAMBOOL speedster James McFadden has lauded the "special" feeling of etching his name among sprintcar royalty as a two-time South West Conveyancing Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic champion.
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The Monte Motorsport driver was forced to abandon doughnut celebration plans after winning the action-packed feature in front of a sellout Premier Speedway crowd on Sunday night due to mechnical issues.
But an elated McFadden said he was delighted to join legends such as Max Dumesny and Danny Smith on the honour roll.
McFadden, 30, won his first classic in 2017.
"It's special. It took me so long to get one, there was so much pressure to get one and now that we have two is really cool," he said.
"It's probably the hardest race to win in Australia and my car owner (Monte Motorsport) has seven.
"It's good to be able to add a couple to his resume."
It was Warrnambool double with Jamie Veal - another former winner - rolling around for second.
Multiple winner Kerry Madsen was third with American Cory Eliason and emerging star Marcus Dumesny rounding out the top-five.
The race started at 11.10pm and finished at 11.46pm following a series of stoppages.
Defending champion Robbie Farr crashed out of contention after starting on pole.
The Queenslander earned his spot on the front row alongside Eliason with McFadden and Veal off the second row.
But Farr was eliminated after five laps with McFadden ahead at that stage of the race.
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McFadden, who took the lead straight after Farr crashed out, said he was enjoying a career-best season.
"I think this is my best year, by a long shot. We've just been consistently really fast," he said.
"It's been a lot of fun. When you're on confidence like we are, and the car is as fast as it is, it makes it even better.
"It's a special night. We'll celebrate with a few beers. It's just great."
The yellow caution flag was waved after just one lap with American Carson Macedo rolling on turn two and Grant Anderson also crashed out with 28 laps left.
The torrid race also claimed Brenten Farrer, who lost his wings, and entertainer Tim Kaeding with four laps to run and night one winner Scott Bogucki had his race cut short with three laps to run.
Luke Dillon, Jack Lee, Brenten Farrer and Mitchell Gee advanced to the A-Main after finishing top four in the B-Main 1, while Sam Walsh, Brooke Tatnell, Anderson and Macedo did likewise after strong drives in B-Main 2.
2018 champion Corey McCullagh just missed a transfer spot to the feature after climbing from 18th in B-Main 2 to fifth.
American drivers Macedo and Kalib Henry were involved in an incident in the pits. Both raced in their respective mains.
Three-time classic winner Max Dumesny was honoured with Premier Speedway life membership.
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