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Ian Madsen announces Sprintcar retirement

By Timothy Neal

Date posted: 3 November 2023

One of Australia’s finest International Sprintcar drivers Ian Madsen has announced his retirement from racing after a 20 year career which included two Knoxville Track Championships and a victory lane World of Outlaws CV.

The brother of Kerry Madsen – the winningest Aussie at the legendary Knoxville track – the New South Welshman recently competed at the Knoxville Nationals (otherwise known as the “The Granddaddy Of ‘Em All”) in the US, where he finished up 11th on the points table racing for fellow Aussie Lynton Jeffrey, making the A Main alongside Kerry.

Some of Madsen’s CV highlights include capturing the 2018 World of Outlaws Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year award, as well as visiting Victory Lane four times in the World of Outlaws series.

Madsen retires as one of Australia’s most successful international Sprintcar racers

Also in his US career, he also had four All Star Circuit of Champions victories, and at the spiritual home of Sprintcar racing at the Knoxville Raceway in Iowa, he won an impressive 12 features, which included being crowned the Knoxville Track Champion on two occasions, the first of which came in 2014

Most recently on home soil, Madsen has claimed wins at Avalon Raceway for the Presidents Cup and at Eastern Creek Speedway across last season.

An emotional Madsen had this to say on his retirement via his social media account.

“It is with great sadness that today after 20 years, I am announcing my retirement from Sprint Car racing,” Madsen said. 

“This was not an easy decision, perhaps the most difficult of my life. I arrived at this decision for a myriad of reasons. After the completion of the last 2-3 seasons, I have been stuck in the proverbial fork in the road. 

The Madsen brothers, Ian (L) and Kerry (R) were both familiar with Victory Lane in the world’s premier World of Outlaws Sprintcar series.

“This time felt different like a receding glacier. We all know this will come one day. Still, it doesn’t make it any easier. I do not know a world outside of racing, nor do I know if I will have anything to offer my new world. This is both terrifying and exciting for me.”

To get your fix of Sprintcar action this season, stay tuned into AUTO ACTION, with the big stuff kicking off at Premier Speedway in Warrnambool this weekend.

For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION or subscribe HERE

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