While American Sprint Car fans were picking up wrapping paper from around their Christmas trees, Australian fans were deep into Boxing Day racing. On Tuesday night, Murray Bridge Speedway hosted round one of the 14-race World Series of Sprintcars.

As we move deeper into the Southern Hemisphere’s hot season, more and more Americans are making their annual pilgrimage to Australia to compete. Tuesday night’s race featured Jason Johnson, Cory Eliason, Carson Macedo, and others.

Johnson set QuickTime in his group and entered the A-Main as the High Point man. After starting on the pole, Johnson led the field for the first half of the 30-lap feature. He also posted the fastest lap in race conditions, circling the Australian dirt track with an average speed of 107.708 kph on lap 22 of the A-Main.

But madness stalked the Ragin’ Cajun. By lap 10 Kerry “The Madman” Madsen passed the second-place driver after starting fifth. Five laps later, he challenged Johnson for the lead and wasted no time in getting into first. Johnson’s fast lap in the second half of the race was not enough to allow him to catch Madsen. The Australian native led the second half of the race.

Ryan Jones started third and traded sliders with Matt Egel as they challenged for second in the early laps. After Madsen passed the battling pair as well as Johnson, it was Jones’ turn to settle into the runner-up spot for good. He stole second from the pole sitter with just over 10 laps remaining.

Johnson held on to take the final step of the podium.

Egel settled for fourth after starting on the outside of the front row, and James McFadden rounded out top five.

By Victoria Beaver

Top 10 Finishers
1. Kerry Madsen
2. Ryan Jones
3. Jason Johnson
4. Matt Egel
5. James McFadden
6. Luke Dillon
7. Jamie Cobby
8. Daniel Harding
9. Cory Eliason
10. Dave Murcott