But he’d enjoy watching his oldest son Austin, in his first visit to Australia to compete, win one more.

“I hope my sons beat me every night. I hope they do way better than I ever did,” Terry said.

“I would be more happy if he won it. It would be a great accomplishment for him.”

The American-based father-and-son combination is among the South West Conveyancing Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic’s 111-strong car field.

They drew separate qualifying nights – Terry Friday and Austin Saturday – but both are favoured to be in Sunday’s A-Main finale at Premier Speedway.

Terry hopes his youngest son, Carson, 22, can join the family adventure next year.

“My dad was a sprintcar driver. It is in all of our blood. It’s pretty addictive I tell people. I’ve never done drugs but racing is our drug I guess,” he said.

“Carson is going to be racing a lot more 410s this year. He’s been racing 360 shows.”

Terry is familiar with the Allansford track, having finished second to Steven Lines in the 2013 Classic.

“Back in the day Australia Day was the Tuesday after the Classic and they had a world series race and I won that, so we’ve won at Warrnambool before,” he said.

“It is just a fun race track. Warrnambool reminds me of Houston back in the States where I have won over 100 features. It races a lot like Houston so I have always felt comfortable racing there.”

Austin will get his first look at the Premier Speedway track this weekend after a late call up. 

“I guess Travis Rilet was meant to drive that car and I am not sure what happened but he couldn’t make it so they got Austin to come last minute, so that was good for him,” Terry said. 

“He had a great year last year. He finished third in Knoxville points. Ian Madsen and Brian Brown were the only two to beat him and Brooke Tatnell ran fourth and I ran fifth in points.”

Terry, while eager to win, relishes the opportunity to race on Australian soil.

He said the hospitality kept him coming back each season.

“The people are just amazing. They treat us like kings and Ken and Vanessa (Hutchins, my car owners) have treated me great the last few years, actually all the people I have driven for out here have treated us really well,” Terry said.

“I just love sprintcar racing. It’s great to see different venues, I think the Classic is a special event and it reminds me of when I was a kid at the Knoxville Nationals.

“The pressure isn’t on me as much as it is at the Knoxville Nationals because I am American from Ohio but it still means a lot to us to try and win this race.”