Kerry Madsen stops the sweep at Bubba Raceway Park; wins Arctic Cat All Star Winter Nationals finale in Ocala, Florida

OCALA, FL (February 11, 2017) - In front of a near-standing room only turnout, “The Madman” Kerry Madsen ended all possibility for a “Schatz Sweep” during the Sixth Annual Winter Nationals at Bubba Raceway Park; driving around the Fargo, North Dakota, native with just six laps remaining to solidify his place on top of the feature podium. The Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions victory, his first podium finish of the Winter Nationals triple-header at Bubba Raceway Park, was the seventh of Madsen’s career, earning $5,000 in the process.

“This thing has been a rocket ship right from the drop of the gate,” Kerry Madsen explained, pilot of the GoMuddy.com/Big Game Treestands/No. 2M. “My guys, Guy and Nate, did a great job all winter prepping these race cars and getting everything set for Florida. It feels awesome to be this fast right from the start. We were so close on Thursday, so this definitely makes up for that. I can’t thank Todd and Luke enough for this opportunity. Hopefully they were tuned-in back in Minnesota and got to see this.”

Madsen never raced outside of the top-three the entire 30-lap distance, starting third initially and racing in that same position until just beyond the halfway signal. The St. Mary’s, New South Wales, Australia, native worked around the CJB Motorsports entry of David Gravel for second on lap 16, resetting his sights on back-to-back Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions main event winner Donny Schatz.

By lap 20, traffic started to intensify, allowing Madsen to cut away at Schatz’s one second advantage at the front of the field. The pair raced nearly nose-to-tail until Madsen made the winning move at the entrance of turn one on lap 24, taking command for the first time during the main event. Madsen would race ahead untouched the remaining distance, holding off a late charge by Donny Schatz and Tim Shaffer at the final checkers, each celebrating a third consecutive podium finish.

“We ended up cutting a tire somewhere around four or five laps to go in that race” Donny Schatz explained, pilot of the Tony Stewart Racing/Arctic Cat/No. 15. “My late model experience actually helped me get through those last five laps. I was able to keep the car straight and hang on to that position. It is a tough deal, but we’ll move on and try again at Volusia.”

The Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions will enjoy three days in the Florida sun before returning to competition on Wednesday evening, February 15, at the Volusia Speedway Park near Barberville, Florida. “America’s Series” will take center stage at the Florida speed plant for two consecutive nights of competition; two of five total sprint car appearances during the 2017 DIRTcar Nationals schedule. The back-to-back Volusia Speedway Park appearances will each award $5,000 top prizes.

Those seeking additional news and information regarding the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park should visit the official online home of the DIRTcar Nationals: www.dirtcarnationals.com.