Woodward Racing Tri-State race notes

Collision with Madsen Leaves Tatnell 17th at Tri-State Speedway

HAUBSTADT, IN (April 24) -- Brooke Tatnell was driving Woodward Racing's #2 Volcano Joe's Coffee Schnee toward the front in Saturday's World of Outlaws "A" Feature at Tri-State Speedway when a collision with countryman Kerry Madsen stopped his progress. The three-time defending Australian Sprintcar champion raced back into 17th place during the final six laps.

Tatnell, the first Australian driver to win a World of Outlaws main event, was the 17th-fastest qualifier in the 33-car field -- .380 seconds off Jason Meyers' pace-setting lap. Brooke passed Randy Hannagan during the opening lap on his way to a third-place finish in the First Heat Race.

"Our setup was a little off in qualifying," Tatnell said. "It was too tight, and we just couldn't turn the car. We made improvements though, so we didn't embarrass ourselves. The track was tricky. It was far around the cushion and the bottom was pretty slick. There weren't many guys who were doing much passing."

Tantell was challenging Madsen for 15th place early in the 34th lap when Madsen spun into him in the second corner. Woodward Racing Crew Chief Troy Renfro and Mechanic Rob Beattie quickly repaired the #2 Volcano Joe's Schnee, enabling Tatnell to run the final six laps.

"We were moving forward and following Madsen, but he got loose and spun out and we had nowhere to go," Tatnell said. "It (the collision) knocked our front wing off and knocked some things loose. It definitely wasn't a good deal for us."

-credit: wr