JAMIE VEAL WINS CLASSIC OPENER

Jamie Veal won the Classic Opener – Photo: Geoff Rounds

JAMIE VEAL is on track to win his second Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic in three years after surviving the opening night Preliminary A-Main last night at Premier Speedway.

By GEOFF ROUNDS

The 2016 winner from Warrnambool attacked quickly from his sixth position at the start to move forward and grab the lead with seven laps to go. Racing clear from Ryan Jones of Murray Bridge and Timboon’s Luke Walker to win.

The 30-lap feature was littered with crashes and rolled cars with 14 cars finishing of the 24 starters.

The 30-lap feature was littered with crashes – Photo: Geoff Rounds

In somewhat of a surprise front row Walker lined up alongside polesitter Tasmanian Jamie Bricknell with James McFadden and Jones behind.

Bricknell and Walker shared the lead various times over the ensuing pack until 2017 Classic winner James McFadden made his move at a restart on lap 27 take the lead. But, with 18 laps to run he ruined his chances of a win when crashed out in spectacular fashion on turn four.

“I’d done it every lap the same way and that one didn’t work. It sucks for the guys. We were sitting pretty and now we’re not,” said McFadden after the race.

Veal sitting second at the time inherited the lead and cruised home for the final laps.

“It was getting real frustrating because there was a lot of rolling laps and I had to bite my tongue. James was really good in front so it was interesting to see him crash and we just did what we had to. Anything can happen, it’s the Classic,” saidVeal.

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