![PROUD NIGHT: Warrnambool's Jamie Veal. Picture: Morgan Hancock PROUD NIGHT: Warrnambool's Jamie Veal. Picture: Morgan Hancock](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc78zxtb6xofaxi1soevu.jpg/r0_201_4310_2624_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
WARRNAMBOOL driver Jamie Veal is celebrating the capture of his maiden Australian Sprintcar Championship.
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Veal survived a crash-filled A-main to salute over Marcus Dumesny and former champion Kerry Madsen at Latrobe Speedway in Tasmania on Saturday night.
It was the 31-year-old's first Australian title following a trio of third-place finishes in 2015, 2016 and 2019.
Veal, the 2016 South West Conveyancing Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic champion, was delighted to clinch the elusive victory.
"Finally I've got the Australian title," he said in a SWI Racing video.
![SPEEDY: Jamie Veal drives. Picture: Morgan Hancock SPEEDY: Jamie Veal drives. Picture: Morgan Hancock](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc78zxroe88huynyp8evu.jpg/r0_175_3573_2192_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"It was a fairly eventful night - there was a fair bit going on. I got lucky a couple of times through the race.
"I can't thank the boys enough for giving me the opportunity to run here."
Fellow Warrnambool driver James McFadden, who beat Veal in last week's classic at Premier Speedway, failed to finish the A-main.
In a statement on social media, the two-time champion expressed disappointment with the result.
![STANDOUT: Terang's Jack Lee. Picture: Morgan Hancock STANDOUT: Terang's Jack Lee. Picture: Morgan Hancock](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc790kui84bi91daghbevu.jpg/r0_100_4483_2630_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"This Aussie title can be a kick in the guts at times," he said.
"We were having a great time battling for the lead, and showing good speed to get to the front.
"Really felt that we had a car to beat, but it wasn't meant to be, with a DNF cutting our race short.
"I feel bad for (car owner) Luch (Monte) who wants this race so much, and for the boys who worked hard to bounce back from our heat race mishaps tonight."
Terang driver Jack Lee stormed home to finish fifth, while Mailors Flat racer Peter Doukas claimed a top-10 spot.
MORE TO COME
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