SEVEN-time champion Brooke Tatnell had to produce the drive of the night to extend his lead in the World Series Sprintcars championship.
Tatnell, who entered Tuesday night's round 12 at Allansford's Premier Speedway with a 32-point lead in the overall standings, goes to Western Australia for the last two rounds of the series with a 36-point advantage over Perth-based Robbie Farr.
While the 36-point buffer is not insurmountable, it could have been a lot worse.
Tatnell, regarded as a fierce competitor, was yesterday upbeat with his sixth-placing.
It's not very often Tatnell would be satisfied with such a finish but should he go on and win a record eighth WSS crown, he may well see Tuesday night's effort as decisive.
The 37-year-old had to force his way into the 30-lap final via the B main.
Starting the feature off the back row alongside Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic winner Shane Stewart, Tatnell and the American powered their way to sixth and seventh.
In Tatnell's case, he lept 11 positions, including overtaking Farr, who finished eighth.
"We have been on the road now for four straight months. It is going to be nice to get home and work from our own shop in readiness for some big events coming up in February and March," Tatnell said.
His drive in the final made up for a poor start to the night, which saw him post the ninth-fastest time in qualifying. But he failed to finish his opening heat after tagging the wall in turn three and suffering front-end damage.
While Iowa's Terry McCarl's win had no impact on the standings, it was a welcome relief for the American hard-charger, who raced without success at the 2009 and 2010 Classics.
He was delighted to post a victory for his Ballarat car owner Rod Matthews, despite some mechanical issues late in the race.
"I am not sure what happened I think we broke a rocker," McCarl said after the race.
"Hell that sounds like an excuse, so we had a great car and I am real happy that these guys gave me an opportunity to race.
"It's easy to stand up here when you win but you guys are the best fans and you make it so fun for the Americans to come here and race," he said.
It was a similar story for his countryman Wayne Johnson who posted his best result in his two swings Down Under, which included last year's Classic.
"Hell I can't believe they had me back after the year I had last year," Johnson said.
"Maybe I can get back at Christmas time next year and get this thing sorted earlier and win a race or two.
''To come out of here in second after the week we have had is awesome."
Before Tuesday night, Johnson's brief tour had seen him win the D main at the Classic, finish fifth in the King's Challenge B main at Mount Gambier and third in the President's Cup at Avalon last week.
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