The 28-year-old’s stunning South West Conveyancing Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic triumph was built on the back of meticulous planning on and off the track.

McCullagh revealed his attention to detail emerged in childhood.

“I’m a massive perfectionist. That’s why I’m so proud of our team,” McCullagh told The Standard.

“I want things done my way – I don’t mind how anybody else does it. I’m just super fussy.

“I think that comes from karting, and that’s where I started. Everything is so clean and well-presented in that sport.

“You always look at the good teams – the Krikkes and the Monte Motorsport guys and they have clean, good-looking cars to best represent their sponsors.

“We’re not at that level, but I want to do the best thing for our sponsors and to look after everyone.”

McCullagh etched his name in sprintcar history with the feat and became the third-consecutive Warrnambool-based driver to take the $30,000 crown.

He said the experience of beating childhood idols Brooke Tatnell and Kerry Madsen for the top prize “felt like a blur”.

“When you’ve grown up watching a guy and he’s your idol, to race with him and to let alone beat him is very humbling,” McCullagh said.

“It hasn't sunken in so it hasn’t hit me too hard yet. I’m just pretty pumped that a low-budget team, of which I’m the truck driver, crew chief, and driver could get it done.

“I guess it gives hope to other low-budget teams, that you actually can do it if you work hard at it and persevere. Anything is possible.”

Caught up in celebrations on track throughout the night, McCullagh – who is moving house – returned to his father’s property at 8.30am on Monday.

“It still hasn’t sunken in. We were honestly just happy to make the (A-main), let alone win it,” McCullagh said.

“The car was that good that anyone could have driven it to win. 

“We left Premier this morning when the sun came up and we’ve just been getting congratulations from a lot of people.

“It’s very humbling. Hopefully it kick-starts my career and more opportunities to race and compete arise for us.”

The former Brauer College student paid homage to his crew and supporters.

“It's the work during the week – it’s the maintenance. It’s just making sure things are in tip-top condition,” he said.

“We took some risks and they paid off on Sunday.”