PETERSEN MEDIA- In a rare time when tracks and promoters offer up challenges for drivers and teams a shot to win more money, more often than not the challenge is ignored. After winning the opening night of the Scott Darley Challenge at the Valvoline Raceway in Sydney, AU and qualifying for the Saturday night feature, Kerry Madsen and his Keneric Racing/American Racing accepted the challenge put for in front of them and gave up their front row starting spot and elected to start in the 19th spot in what would be a non-stop 40-lap feature event.
“The fans come out and want to see a driver take the Challenge, and we all decided that if the track was in good racing condition we would have some fun and see what we could do,” said Kerry Madsen. “We were really strong on Friday night and we had a good start to the night on Saturday night so we went for it. We came up a little short, but it was a fun weekend for this Keneric Racing/American Racing team.”
Taking to the Valvoline Raceway on Friday night to open his weekend up, Madsen would time the potent American Racing/Keneric Racing No. 29 machine in fifth fastest in his qualifying flight before racing his way to a heat race win.
Earning his way into the pole shootout, “The Mad Man” would finish in the fifth spot, putting him in the third row of the feature event.
A year ago during this same event, Madsen came from the C Main to score the Darley Prelim win, so he looked to be a strong factor on this night starting in the front of the field.
A great start saw the St, Marys, NSW native turned Knoxville, IA resident get off to a great start and quickly race his way into the top spot as Jamie Veal gave chase.
Very aggressive in lapped traffic, Madsen would leave nothing to chance on this night as he would go on to pick up his 28th career win at the Valvoline Raceway.
“A year ago we ran the alphabet to get the win, so starting up front tonight let us dictate the terms a bit,” Madsen noted. “I had to get aggressive in traffic at times and leave nothing to chance.”
Back in action on Saturday for the finale, Madsen would continue to show some serious speed at the track aboard the American Racing Custom Wheels backed entry, as he raced from fifth to score the heat win before pocketing the pole shootout win.
During his interview, Madsen would announce he would indeed be taking the challenge of starting in the 10th row and was promptly greeted with a huge roar of approval from the crowd.
Giving up his front row starting position in hopes of putting on a show from the 19th starting position, Madsen tried everything in his arsenal to get to the front.
With the 40-lap race going non-stop, Madsen searched and searched all over the Valvoline Raceway trying to get to the front, but he would not get higher than the 13th spot, where he would finish aboard the Keneric Racing/American Racing No. 29 machine.
“We had a really good car, but it was a stout field of cars and coming from 19th in a non-stop affair was no walk in the park,” he added. “I have to thank my guys for giving me a great car all weekend as well as the Gavranich family and the American Racing Custom Wheels team for making all of this possible.”
2016 BY THE NUMBERS- Starts-8, Wins-3, Top-5’s-5, Top 10’s-6
ON TAP: Kerry Madsen and the Keneric Racing/American Racing team will now gear up for one of the biggest weeks of the year. They will be in action in Mt. Gambier on Thursday night for the Kings Challenge, before heading to Warrnambool, AU to take part in the Grand Annual Sprint Car Classic. Madsen will qualify on Friday night before looking to score another “Classic” triumph on Sunday night.
STAY CONNECTED: Keep updated with Kerry Madsen, Keneric Racing, and American Racing in a variety of interactive ways-
American Racing
Facebook- www.facebook.com/amercanracingwheels
Instagram- @AmericanRacing
Twitter- @AmericanRacing
Keneric Racing
Facebook- www.facebook.com/KenericRacing
Twitter- @KenericRacing
Kerry Madsen
Twitter- @KMR29
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