• Australia and the United States of America will go head-to-head, thanks to NAPA Auto Parts in the running for the 50th Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic in Warrnambool on January 27-29, 2023.

    Australian Sprintcar ace James McFadden will be joined by legendary American World of Outlaws Brad Sweet at the famed Victorian event – regarded as the most prestigious Sprintcar race in Australia.

    McFadden’s car will be entered by Hodges Motorsport, headed by media personality and Warrnambool protege Tim Hodges.

    Sweet will run under the Landrigan Motorsport banner in what will be a true Australia versus United States battle.

    Originally from Alice Springs, Northern Territory, McFadden is a two-time Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic champion, having won the title in 2017 and 2020.

    Now a regular competitor in World of Outlaws in America, the 33-year-old has taken five wins and finished seventh overall in both 2021 and 2022.

    McFadden and the entire World of Outlaws competitors have been chasing one man, though. Driving his famous #49 for NAPA Auto Parts entry for Kasey Kahne Racing, Sweet has won the past four WoO titles, racking up close to 100 World of Outlaws A-Feature wins.

    The 36-year-old from California, known as ‘The Big Cat’, is regarded as one of the greats of Sprintcar racing, sitting 11th in the all-time most wins list.

    Sweet won his first World of Outlaws title in 2019 over fellow Sprintcar great Donny Schatz by just four points – the closest championship margin in history.

    Since then, Sweet has been unstoppable at the highest level of Sprintcar competition.

    His entry in the Classic will be his first race outside of America for half a decade.

    The Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic is Australia’s ‘must win’ race in the Sprintcar world. The event has been won by all of the big names in the sport – both from Australia and the United States. Former winners include Aussie aces Garry Rush, Max Dumesny, Brooke Tatnell and Kerry Madsen. Rush holds the record for the most Classic wins at seven.

    For the Americans, Danny Smith has won six Classics, while Donny Schatz, Joey Saldana and Shane Stewart are just a few of the big name international stars to taste success at Warrnambool.

    The 50th running of the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic at Warrnambool will start on January 27 ahead of three full nights of racing.

    QUOTES

    James McFadden

    #5 NAPA Auto Parts

    “The tables have turned – he's on my side of the world now so hopefully that means I have the upper hand over him, including the fan support – so welcome to my jungle,” said McFadden.

    “We were team-mates last year, but we are still really good friends. I think he likes us Aussies, so will still speak often and our haulers are almost always beside each other in the pits.

    “Obviously he is a champion of this sport – his results show that – and his consistency is staggering really, so I admire and respect what he has achieved enormously.

    “I am also a little worried for him. He's a red head and is desperately pale, so I hope he invests in some excellent sunscreen – he'll need it!

    "The Classic is one of the biggest races in the world. It's a race I grew up watching on the hill at Premier Speedway, so it's always on my schedule to be back home in Warrnambool for Australia Day week.

    “I love the event, I love the speedway, I love the town and I love how big the race has become right around the world. Everyone here in America either wants to come home to compete in it or to come and watch it.

    “I love the opportunity Tim Hodges offered with this unique deal. He’s a local boy and he knows how much the Classic means to this town, and like me this race means a hell of a lot to him and his crew - so I hope we can do something really special in its 50th anniversary running.

    “I'd love nothing more than to win a third Classic crown in a year where it means so much.”

    Brad Sweet

    #49 NAPA Auto Parts / Landrigan Motorsport

    “I’m really looking forward to heading back down under, it’s been a few years and I love Australia and its fans. I can’t wait to showcase the NAPA Auto Parts #49 in Australia,” said Sweet.

    “I have some great friends that are Aussies, including James McFadden. I’m looking forward to beating him on his home turf.

    “James and I have a few friendly wagers going, I’m trying to get him to agree to shave that beard he’s got going on, if I beat him!

    “James and I are pretty good friends off the track, but nobody wants to be the worst finishing NAPA Auto Parts car. I can’t wait to beat up my mate.

    “I love being able to represent the NAPA Auto Parts brand in America and I’m excited to now represent NAPA Auto Parts in Australia too.

    “The 50th Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic is definitely a race I’d love to win. It’s a great event with a lot of great fans.”

    Mitchell Wiley

    Head of Sponsorship, NAPA Auto Parts Asia Pacific

    “The team at NAPA Auto Parts is very excited to be taking part in the 50th anniversary of the Grand Annual Classic for what is the Bathurst 1000 of Sprintcar races in this part of the world,” said Wiley.

    “To have American hero Brad Sweet coming to our shores and compete in the biggest Sprintcar race is awesome, but equally, we are proud to work with Tim Hodges and his team that have put together the absolute best entry on offer – local Warrnambool driver James McFadden – in another NAPA Auto Parts car.

    “James has enjoyed an outstanding season in the World of Outlaws. He is regarded as Australia’s best, and he will need to be at his best to challenge Brad Sweet, who has just secured his fourth-straight WoO title.

    “It all sets up an amazing NAPA Australia v NAPA America battle on our home soil, at Australia’s greatest Sprintcar race, and we can’t wait to help celebrate this with all of the speedway and motorsport fans in January.”
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