Anthony Beare from Mount Gambier in South Australia has claimed a record seventh Speedway Sedans Australia National Street Stock Title at the Bunbury Speedway in Western Australia after a dramatic and controversial ending to proceedings.
Western Australian Jamie Oldfield would cross the line first at the end of the forty laps after making a last lap last corner pass on Anthony Beare.
The two would make contact in the final corner with Oldfield relegated two positions after the race to be officially third.
It would be what happened after the chequered flag that was the major talking point, as Beare and Oldfield drove into each other on the back straight with Oldfield rolling his Holden Commodore in turn three.
Both drivers emerged from their damaged race cars with Oldfield and Beare showing discontent for each other as their cars were eventually brought to the front straight for presentations.
The second night of the 2023 SSA Inc National Street Stock Title presented by East Pilbara Tyre Service got underway before a big Sunday night crowd as one hundred and four cars returned for the second night of competition.
The twenty two finalists paraded four wide for the crowd on hand who witnessed a memorable forty lap main event in Bunbury.
Hayden Norman and reigning National Champion Anthony Beare would share the front row for the finale with Beare taking the lead in the early stages.
Fourth starting Jamie Oldfield was soon into third as both Norman and Oldfield began to mount a challenge on the race leader.
The top three would clear out from the rest of the field in the first ten laps as Mick Dann and a smoking Shane Roycroft rounded out the top five.
Oldfield would hit the lead on lap eighteen as Dann began to slow on the top side of the race track bringing the yellows light on for the first time as the race hit the midway point.
Hayden Norman’s race would be over at the same point as the TLC Contracting Ford Falcon headed infield with damaged steering with Ethan Genev, Shane Roycroft and Jayden Blomeley also retiring on lap twenty.
After the restart Oldfield and Beare cleared away from the field as Mick Hamon found himself in third place from tenth starting Ben Norman and Jack Barnewall who started in position twenty two.
Hamon would slow on the back straight on lap thirty two with Kayne Dellar unfortunately running into the back end of the stricken Hamon Tyre & Exhaust Holden Commodore.
The race would be over for Dellar and Hamon setting up an eight lap run to the chequered flag with Oldfield still the leader.
Oldfield and Beare with eight National Titles between prior to tonight would again clear out from the field and run side by side in what would be another classic duel between two of the all time greats of Australian Street Stock racing.
The lead would change on lap thirty seven as Beare took back the front running from Oldfield as Ben Norman had third place all to himself.
Anthony Beare greeted the white flag with Oldfield right on his tail as the two headed off into turn one for the final time.
Heading into the final corner Oldfield would have a big lunge to the inside of Beare with the two making contact on the exit of the final corner.
Oldfield would cross the line first from Beare, Ben Norman, Jack Barnewall and Ricky Cornwall the top five.
Both Barnewall and Cornwall came from the back row to finish fourth and fifth respectively.
After the race is when the fireworks really began as Oldfield and Beare began to retaliate with one another before Oldfield would roll in turn three.
A lengthy deliberation then occurred between the stewards of the race meeting with Jamie Oldfield relegated two positions.
The driver from Mount Gambier in South Australia would be become the National Street Stock Champion for the seventh time as he emerged from his damaged race car to a mixed reception from the home state crowd.
Ben Norman would be officially second in what was a remarkable performance from the driver of the Prestige Installations Ford Falcon.
A obviously dejected Jamie Oldfield would be disappointed with the result but still thanked his sponsors and car owners Luke & Rose Novel for the opportunity to race for their team in the event.
Anthony Beare thanked his backers and supporters over the course of his racing career as he continues to mount a claim as one of the all time greats of Australian Speedway.
OFFICIAL RESULT OF THE 2023 SSA INC NATIONAL STREET STOCK TITLE PRESENTED BY EAST PILBARA TYRE SERVICE
A Main, 40 Laps- 1. S46 Anthony Beare, 2. W66 Ben Norman, 3. W0 Jamie Oldfield, 4. WA16 Jack Barnewall, 5. V15 Ricky Cornwall, 6. S32 Steve Gartner, 7. W29 Jake Hoath, 8. W39 Zane Humphrys, 9. W2 Shane Whild, 10. S86 Bailey Heinrich (39), 11. NT5 Justin Brumfield (39). DNF: WA7 Mick Hamon (32), WA9 Kayne Dellar (32), V4 Morris Ahearn (28), W3 Trent Lyall (22), S132 Andy Maxwell Jnr (21), V62 Jayden Blomeley (20), W4 Ethan Genev (20), V23 Mick Dann (20), W6 Hayden Norman (20), V82 Shane Roycroft (16), W27 Damon Lyall (6). Total Time: No Time. Winning Margin: Fastest Lap: 20.999 W0 Jamie Oldfield.