READERS are throwing support behind a livewire sprintcar veteran as the race for the South West Conveyancing Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic heats up.
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A straw poll conducted on standard.net.au revealed American-based Sydneysider Kerry Madsen as the outright favourite for the prestigious race.
The 46-year-old collected 21 of the 65 votes to lead Warrnambool duo James McFadden (13) and Jamie Veal (10) as the top three.
Despite holding fan favouritism, Madsen said he was keeping his feet on the ground as he pursued a fourth classic triumph.
"I’d rather be the underdog,” Madsen told The Standard.
“You just have to ignore that sort of stuff. You’re going through the motions and there is a long way to go to Sunday night.
“You can’t think about winning it just yet. More importantly, you have to focus on a quick qualifying time and getting some points. That has to come first.”
Madsen, who will begin qualification on Friday night, said he was confident after a successful spell of form leading into the classic.
The champion driver took out World Series Sprintcars Speedweek honours at Premier Speedway on New Year’s Day, collecting a cool $40,000 for his efforts.
He then defied the odds to score again on both nights of the Scott Darley Challenge at Sydney’s Valvoline Raceway last week.
“If your car fast, and that’s the main thing, it takes a bit of the edge off,” Madsen said.
“If everything else goes alright, then you have a bit of a chance.
“I’ve been there before and I know the process and that gives you a bit of an advantage.”
You just have to ignore (favouritism). You’re going through the motions and there is a long way to go to Sunday night.
- Kerry Madsen
Madsen described the classic as “one of the premier events in the world (of racing)”.
“It’s one I’ve always looked forward to,” he said.
“You base a lot of your year around it and we definitely take this one pretty seriously as an event.”
The reigning Australian champion joins fellow international drivers in Brooke Tatnell and Tim Kaeding on the Friday night qualifying list.
Heats begin at about 5pm, while gates open at 1.30pm.
