McFADDEN IS TOOWOOMBA WINNER AND $20,000 RICHER!

Feature photo by: Matthew Paul Photography…Night two Sprintcar main event winner James McFadden (centre) is pictured with runner-up Ryan Newton (left) and third-placed Lockie McHugh.

 With twenty thousand dollars on the line, the NuTrend Homes Red Hot Shootout was going to produce some of the best racing and story lines in the four-year history of the event at Hi-Tec Oils Toowoomba Speedway. 

Lachlan McHugh was quick to move from the start, but it was James McFadden who threw caution to the wind and drove right around the outside and into the race lead. Ryan Newton in third and Dylan Menz rounding out the top four.  After numerous restarts, the race finally settled into a rhythm with Newton all over the back of McHugh, dropping to the bottom and levelling up with Goodyer doing the same, the two having their own battle for a podium finish.  But it wasn’t over yet; there were still 28 frantic laps to run.

While this was happening Randy Morgan moved into third. McFadden, out in front, was brilliant in traffic as he weaved his way through, as were McHugh and Newton. McHugh closing the gap as Newton throws a slider at McHugh just as Michael Stewart makes his way into the top five.

There was plenty happening throughout the entire race. Nick Whell had made his way to seventh, and Jock Goodyer to fourth, giving Newton the hurry up as he tried to put a move on McHugh. Next time around, he tries again and makes it work. McHugh responds and drives past on the bottom and comes up short as Newton tags the wall. Newton tries again and makes it work back into second at races end.  McFadden gave us a master class, lapping the field to seventh to win the 2026 NuTrend Homes Red Hot Shootout and etching his name on the Barry Waldren perpetual trophy.

In the Stan Burrows Stampede, round number 6 of the Heritage series, it was a 15-lap dash to the chequered flag with Harry Stewart dominating the entire race.

Cody O’Connell started alongside him. From the green light, Stewart led the first lap and every lap thereafter, opening a big gap. O’Connell immediately took to the high line in pursuit of Stewart. The race was shortly paused after Scott Doyle flipped in a wild series of end for ends that started at the pit gate and ended in turn 1.  

When the race resumed, it was Stewart from Rusty Whittaker and Cody O’Connell as they raced three wide. Ten laps in, O’Connell retired to the infield, his night over, while the battle for second raged on. Casey O’Connell and Whittaker are swapping places. Enter Darren Vine as he moves into third with 4 laps to run. O’Connell is persistent in running at the top and makes it work, racing back into third at the checkered flag. Rusty Whittaker would finish second while Harry Stewart would take home another win at Hi-Tec-Oils Speedway.

Super Sedan second night feature race victor Sean Black (centre) with second-placed Todd Atkins (left) and third man to the chequered flag Mick Nicola Junior. Photo by: Matthew Paul Photography.

The Super Sedans put on a good show with Sean Black on the front row, beside him Todd Atkins. Black led the opening laps, followed by Atkins and Will Hockley. Deep in the field the racing was intense between Mick Nicola Jnr and Hayden Brims as JJ Hamilton moved up the track searching for a way through, as did Atkins, trying to make some ground on Black. With Black on the bottom and Atkins making ground on the top side, it was exciting to watch he drops to the bottom in turn 1 and level up as they enter lapped traffic, Black gets momentarily slowed. Seeing the opportunity, Atkins goes back to the top and into the race lead. Lapped traffic again comes into play as Nicola Jnr moves into third.  Deep midfield, the racing was good to watch as the laps started to wind down. Todd Atkins would take the win from Sean Black, who earlier in the race set the fastest lap of 14.682. Mick Nicola Jnr would finish third.  

It’s time now to turn our attention to Easter and the 50th running of the National Modified Sedan Title presented by Enzed and Toowoomba Steering and Suspension. So far, over 85 nominations from across the country have been received. Easter means a lot to many people, but none more so than current Australian champion Nathan Macdonald, who puts his title on the line at his home track. 

Harry Stewart (centre) emerged the best in the night two Speedcar feature race from (at left) Rusty Whittaker and Casey O’Connell (right). Photo by: Matthew Paul Photography.

Toowoomba drivers have a long history of success in Modified Sedan racing during the past 49 years, winning a total of 12 National Titles.

1978/79 – Harry Brazier

1979/80 – Arthur Wiedon

1980/81 – Arthur Wiedon

1981/82 – Harry Brazier

1983/84 – Arthur Wiedon

1984/85 – Arthur Wiedon

1987/88 – Len Kennedy

2002/03 – Peter Lack

2003/04 – Peter Lack

2004/05 – Peter Lack

2016/17 – Matty Smith

2024/25 – Nathan Macdonald

Easter will be massive plus on Easter Sunday, there’s also a $5,000 to win Demo Derby, now that’s going to be entertaining, plus a mammoth fireworks show.

For more updates during this coming week, check out the Hi-Tec-Oils Toowoomba Speedway Facebook Page.

Red Hot Shootout. 

NIGHT 1 QUICK RESULTS

Sprintcars

1. Lockie McHugh NQ7

2. James McFadden W23

3. Ryan Newton Q66

 Wingless

1. Tommy Robertson Q57

2. Lachlan Eggins Q22

3. Indi Butcher N36

Lightning Sprints

1. Darren Baldwin Q4

2. Wayne Iacono Q20

3. Jeremy Hassell Q2

Night 2 QUICK RESULTS

Sprintcars

1. James McFadden W23x

2. Ryan Newton Q66

3. Lockie McHugh NQ7

4. Jock Goodyer A1

5. Michael Stewart NS14

Super Sedans

1. Todd Atkins Q34

2. Sean Black Q26

3. Mick Nicola Jnr V23

Speedcars

1. Harry Stewart 9DB

2. Rusty Whittaker Q58

3. Casey O’Connell Q31x