Matt Pascoe extended his advantage in the 2009/2010 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Championship with an all-the-way win in round eight at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway last night (Saturday, January 16). Having qualified on pole position, Pascoe led throughout the 35-lap feature race in an emphatic display that moves him more than 500 points clear of nearest rival Darren Kane with two rounds remaining.

Previous round winner Jamie McHugh (Miami Smash Repairs Sweet-Dodge) finished in second spot after starting third, with South Australia’s Dave Gartner (GT Bobcat Dominator-Ford Mustang) collecting his second podium result for the year with a third-place finish, advancing from position 8 on the grid. Fresh from his victory in the K-Rock Cup at the same circuit two weeks ago, Brett Simpson drove very well to upstage the series regulars to finish fourth ahead of Wayne Randall and Steve Jordan.

Tasmanian rookie Sam Hughes picked up the AFCO Shock Doctor Lucky Sevens, with Shane Best surging through the field to finish eighth overall ahead of Bill Miller and Michael Nicola. In a race of high attrition, Wayne Miles and Lachlan Onley were the only other drivers to go the distance.

After qualifying on the front row, a luckless Des Korn made an early exit when he slammed the concrete after contact with Kevin Purton during one of three failed attempts to get proceedings underway that ultimately saw the race started single file. Unfazed by the drama unfolding around him and the less than ideal track conditions, Pascoe was rock solid at the front of the field, while McHugh was forced to withstand a late challenge from Gartner to secure the runner-up position and edge ahead of Jordan for third in the series standings.

Other hard luck stories included Clayton Pyne, who had surged into third after starting 10th, only to incur a flat left rear tyre after contact from Nicola in turn one. Flat tyres also befell Trent Wilson and Brad Smith, while Purton, Chris Bussey, Michael Doblo, David McKenzie and Terry White were the others who failed to go the distance.

Heat winners were Pascoe, McHugh, Gartner, Randall, Nicola, Purton, Korn, Miller and Kane, whose night ended prematurely when an engine problem forced him out of action after the opening round of heats.

The B Main went to Miles over Wilson, Jordan and Onley, while McKenzie, Best and White also transferred to the main event.

Contingency winners

AFCO Shock Doctor Lucky Sevens – Sam Hughes
Super Charge Hard Charger – Shane Best
Oval Express Best Presented Car and Crew – Wayne Miles
Ian Boettcher Race Parts Hard Luck Award – Clayton Pyne

2009/2010 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series progressive pointscore top ten (after 8 of 10 rounds): Matt Pascoe 3048, Darren Kane 2513, Jamie McHugh 2285, Steve Jordan 2246, Dave Gartner 2219, Michael Nicola 2006, Kevin Purton 1969, Sam Hughes 1946, Shane Best 1761, Clayton Pyne 1725.

The 2009/2010 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series is proudly supported by the following sponsors:

Carline Mufflers
JD Couriers
Bergmeier Engineering
American Race Tires
East Coast Traffic Control
Ocean Tyres
Lukey Exhausts
APCO Warrnambool
SuperCharge Batteries
Ian Boettcher Race Parts
AFCO Shock Doctor
Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oils
Kincrome Tools and Equipment
Art by Mickey
Oval Express Magazine
Hoosier Racing Tire
Clearview Towing Mirrors
SSA of NSW
QSCA
J&C Carrell Speedway Photography
Race Hard Race Gear
City Motor Inn (Toowoomba)
Rocky Resort Motor Inn
National Association of Speedway Racing (NASR)
Speedway Sedans Australia (ASCF)