Newton wins all-green Presidents Cup

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 23 January 2025

After seeing victory slip in “devastating” fashion last year, Ryan Newton drove to Presidents Cup glory at Avalon in 2025.

In a rapid, all-green 30-lap dash that lasted just under seven minutes, Newton took a comfortable 1.8s win over Jamie Veal and Brock Hallett.

However, the race appeared destined to go to Lachlan McHugh as the Australian champion dominated the first 19 laps, only for a flat left rear to stop his charge to victory.

McHugh was hoping to get an elusive Presidents Cup and was doing everything right being first in Qualifying, the Heat and Gold Shootout.

He was the only retirement as James McFadden flew from second last to fourth ahead of Callum Williamson.

It was an all star front row with Hallett and McHugh wheel to wheel and it was the Australian champion running the #V2 bolted clear on the bottom.

Hallett settled into second ahead of Newton and Veal, who held off Dumesny as Williamson drifted to eighth.

It was a hot pace at the front with the first 10 laps flying by as the leaders picked off lapped traffic by utilising the high line.

But on Lap 14 Newton went low and it paid off handsomely as he eased past Hallett and stole second through Turns 3 and 4.

After four minutes of fast green flag running, McHugh looked unbeatable, enjoying the best part of a 3s lead with only 11 laps remaining.

But just when he looked destined for glory, disaster struck.

McHugh suffered a flat left rear which saw him drift to the infield and out of action.

This threw Newton into the lead and the race was alive with Hallett and Veal right on his tail.

Two laps later Veal sensed his moment and sent a dive-bomb down the inside of Hallett at Turn 3, but could not make it stick.

Hallett performed the switch back at the following corner, but they were not done as Veal swopped back past two turns later.

The thrilling fight gave Newton some breathing space and he needed it because Veal was flying on the low line.

Further back McFadden was flying like usual and completed his charge to the top five, one spot behind Williamson, who also completed a mid race fightback.

They started going side by side with three to go and there was a squeeze at Turn 1 where McFadden tried to sneak past.

The dive paid off as the #WX23 finally overcame the #W3 after multiple corners of wheel to wheel action.

Veal tried hard but could not get close enough as Newton pressed on and took a hard fought victory.

“I did not see him (McHugh) and to be honest I was just focusing on myself wanting to get a finish,” Newton told Clay Per View

“The car was amazing. I was able to move around and sneak by before finding the grip down the bottom.

“The car was amazing down there so I was able to roll around. I got stuck behind two lapped cars for a bit, but managed to just get past them.

“Just a massive thank you to the boys, they worked their butts off and to finally get a win feels good.”

Earlier Parker Scott beat Kobi Wright and McFadden in the B Main, while Jordan Charge took a comfortable C Main.

Also racing were Street Stocks where Michael Clark edged out David Barrie.

Sprintcar action continues with the Kings Challenge taking place at Mount Gambier’s Borderline Speedway this evening.

Action beings at 17.00 local time as excitement builds ahead of the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic from Friday to Sunday.

Image: Richard Hathaway Photography

2025 Presidents Cup results

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