Locking into the Knoxville Nationals ‘B’ Main following both qualifying nights, Ian Madsen dug deep on Saturday as he successfully transferred into the feature event and proceeded to race his way to a ninth place finish.

“It was a great Knoxville Nationals for our team,” Madsen said. “The last couple of years we have had some bad luck during this week, so it was awesome to run well this year and get a Top-10 after coming from the B.”

Taking to the Knoxville Raceway on Wednesday night, Madsen would get things started off well as he timed the Logan Contractors Supply Inc./Aspen Aire/Team Kline Electric No. 18 machine in third fastest in time trials.

With the track staying fast through Wednesday night heat races, Madsen would be unable to work his way forward from the eight starting spot, as he would finish eighth and make his way to the ‘B’ Main event.

Running second in the semi to Sammy Swindell, Madsen would move into the preliminary night feature event, though he would have his work cut out for him as he gridded the field from the 22nd starting position.

Knowing how important each position is to point total, Madsen continued to run well on the famous ½ mile as he would work his way forward during the 25-lap feature event.

Battling with Swindell every step of the way Madsen would finish 14th and watch the Thursday night program intently to see where he would end up.

Winding up 17th overall in points, Madsen would just miss out on locking into the Knoxville Nationals feature event, but was in a good spot still as he would line up on the pole for the ‘B’ main.

Running third in the B to Kyle Larson and Dale Blaney, Madsen would move into the 50-lap feature event where he would grid the field from the 12th row. In the feature, Madsen would show his patience as he slowly worked his way through the field.

Just sitting outside the Top-10 during the stop at the halfway point, Madsen continued to work his way forward. While many were watching the battle up front, the St. Marys, NSW driver was working into the Top-10.

When Doug Clark waived the checkered flag, Madsen would cap his Nationals with a run from 23rd to ninth.

“I can’t say enough about this team,” Madsen said. “To just miss out on being locked into the feature, nobody got discouraged and we handled our business and showed what we could do in the feature event.”

Madsen and company was also in action the week before during the 360 Knoxville Nationals.

Timing in 14th fastest during his qualifying night, Madsen would win his heat race and move into the qualifying night feature event.

Lining up ninth for the 20-lap feature, Madsen would move forward on this night as he would work up to the sixth spot in the rapid fire feature event. On the strength of his finish, Madsen would lock into the Saturday night ‘A’ main, as he would be 14th in points.

Taking the green flag from the seventh row in the 25-lap Championship finale, Madsen showed he had a very strong car as he wasted no time racing his way forward. Driving by some of the best in the business, Madsen would battled with Dusty Zomer and Terry McCarl in the race’s closing laps.

A big run on Zomer on the last lap would see Madsen edge him out at the start finish line to finish in the fifth spot.

“Overall it was an awesome two weeks for our team I think,” Madsen said. “We ran fifth at the 360 Nationals and backed it up with a Top-10 during the 410 Nationals. We had speed in both cars, and I am very proud of our showing.”

Ian and his KCP Racing team would like to thank Logan Contractors Supply Inc., Aspen Aire, Team Kline Electric, Royal Flooring, Bobcat, TammyHeckart.com, Caliber Iowa, Quality Traffic Control, Flatrate, Inc., Speck USA, Bergen Paulsen, Coverage Direct, Finer Cuts Lawn and Landscape, Lucas Oil, and Revolution Race Gear for their support this season.

2016 BY THE NUMBERS: Starts-57, Wins-7, Top-5’s- 28, Top 10’s-41

ON TAP: Madsen and the KCP Racing team will be back in action tonight at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, NE before heading to the Badlands Motor Speedway on Friday night to take part in the Rock-N-Roll Gold Cup.