McFadden wows in historic High Limit opener

America might be taking over Perth, but one of Australia’s best, James McFadden, showed his class by winning the historic High Limit International opener.

The arrival of High Limit saw a number of American stars led by NASCAR champion Kyle Larson and sprintcar star Brad Sweet to Perth Motorplex, but they could only settle for fourth and third respectively.

However, none had an answer for Australia’s own High Limit racer, McFadden powered the Brady Motorsport W23 to victory lane over home-town hero Callum Williamson by 2.2s.

“It was cool, there were a lot of different lines on the track,” McFadden said.

“Probably the first 10-12 laps, I felt like the top was pretty dominant after they scratched it, then it started moving around a little bit – it was a lot of fun when we got to traffic and we could make our own lines up and move around.”

James McFadden was triumphant on the first night of the High Limit International. Image: Bailey O’Dea Photography.

McFadden also said it was “really cool” to do the High Limit tour in America this season and thought it was great for the series to have faith in the sport in Australia and showcase it in Perth.

Williamson started on pole after winning the Dash, which was backed up by an earlier heat win.

But he was beaten to the first corner by American Cole Macedo, who sailed into the lead when the lights went out.

Williamson settled into second as McFadden and Newton wrestled hard for third before Sweet soon joined the contest.

McFadden was the winner and by lap 10 he set his sights on Williamson and swopped past to snare the position.

He carried on the keep closing the gap to Macedo, who started to battle with lapped traffic.

On Lap 16 McFadden chose his moment and made a big dive for the lead on the inside and made it stick.

Macedo tried to perform the switchback up the back straight, but could only get as close as the back wheel of McFadden.

Meanwhile, by Lap 12 Williamson had fell to fourth with Sweet also getting by.

But Williamson quickly recovered to not only retain third, but put the pressure on Macedo.

By Lap 19, he was fighting the American and won with a clean move at Turn 2.

The reds arrived with nine to go with Ryan Newton rolling over.

The race came alive at the restart as Williamson challenged McFadden for the lead.

The pair even made contact coming out of Turn 2 before McFadden used the high line to retain the lead.

McFadden enjoyed the final three laps unchallenged as he cruised to victory on a historic night of racing at Perth Motorplex leading home Williamson and Sweet.

All eyes turned to the battle for fourth as Larson edged out Dayne Kingshott on the last lap.

But remarkably Kingshott clipped the wall and took the chequered flag in fifth on three wheels.

The USA v WA battle will resume tonight for round 2 at Perth Motorplex and the action will be broadcast on FloRacing.

Image: Richard Hathaway Photography

Feature results 

1st James McFadden, 2nd Callum Williamson, 3rd Brad Sweet, 4th Kyle Larson, 5th Dayne Kingshott, 6th Cole Macedo,  7th Andrew Priolo,  8th Daniel Harding, 9th Brock Zearfoss, 10th Matt Egel, 11th Taylor Milling, 12th Kaiden Manders, 13th Cory Eliason, 14th Gio Scelzi, 15th Kerry Madsen, 16th James Inglis, 17th Justin Whittall, 18th Jack Williamson, 19th Jason Kendrick, 20th AJ Nash.

Maddington Toyota Sprintcar Series after 7 rounds
Dayne Kingshott 1166, Callum Williamson 1146, Taylor Milling 1074, Kaiden Manders 1064, Andrew Priolo 1004, Jason Kendrick 996, Brad Maiolo 980, Daniel Harding 956, Jack Williamson 952, Kris Coyle 938, Ryan Lancaster 906, Ryan Newton 904, Jamie Maiolo 904, Michael Keen 898, Jaydee Dack 892, Aaron Chircop 892, Brooke Newson 798, Joel Ettridge 792, Jason Pryde 790, AJ Nash 758, Wayne Russell 714, James Inglis 612, Myles Bolger 506, Kerry Madsen 502, Harrison Peet 468, James McFadden 442, Michael Pickens 414, Luke Oldfield 384, George Eaton 350, Trent Pigdon 302, Brock Zearfoss 276, Matt Egel 266, Gio Scelzi 254, Justin Whittall 246, Cory Eliason 224, Matt Juhl 218, Matthew Cross 214, Shaun Bradford 214, Cameron McKenzie 212, Brock Kenny 200, Jock Goodyer 184, Kye Francis 150, Brad Sweet 144, Cole Macedo 138, Tim King 100, Todd Davis 50.

READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.