MAX Dumesny is closing in on a record he probably won’t want to remember.
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The former Nullawarre driver finished second in the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic for the sixth time in his decorated career on Sunday night.
Only legendary Garry Rush has finished second more times.
Rush, who won the Classic seven times, also finished runner-up seven times and third twice.
Dumesny has been on the Classic podium 14 times for three wins, six seconds and five thirds. Only Rush has been on the podium more — 16 times.
Sunday night’s placegetters, Dumesny and Jamie Veal, will be among the favourites for this week’s Australian Sprintcar Championship in Tasmania.
Dumesny said he was looking forward to the title after narrowly missing his fourth Classic at Premier Speedway.
The 54-year-old said his form was good and his performance indicated there was plenty of quick laps still in him.
Dumesny won the first of his three national titles at Carrick, Tasmania, in 1991.
Veal is planning to contest the title at Latrobe for Melbourne car owner Matt Eastham. He will leave his new Maxim chassis, which he drove to third place in the Classic, back in Warrnambool.
He said it was impossible to get his car shipped to Tasmania by yesterday’s deadline, especially after a late finish on Sunday night.
Several big names — defending champion James McFadden, who won the Friday night Australia/America Challenge Cup at Premier Speedway and two-time Classic winner Steven Lines — are bypassing the title as they ready themselves for a hectic conclusion to the World Series Sprintcars championship in Sydney and Perth.