Former Classic Champion Brooke Tatnell produced a stunning performance on night 1 of the 45th Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic as he defeated American Bard Sweet in an epic 30 lap finale that ran flag to flag at the Sungold Stadium in Warrnambool. After starting on the pole Tatnell led the opening stanza of the race only to be passed by Sweet on lap 15 but Tatnell wrestled the lead back with only a handful of laps remaining after Sweet made contact with the infield tractor tyre in turn four.

Sweet would hang on for second ahead of Australian Champion Kerry Madsen with Grant Anderson advancing from position 9 to finish fourth ahead of American Carson Macedo. Another former Classic Champion Kyle Hirst was next with David Murcott, Jordyn Brazier, Ben Atkinson and Brian Brown rounding out the top 10.

With the race running incident free the only real casualty of the race was dual Classic Champion Steven Lines as he failed to finish after he made contact with the wall after he was forced high as Lachlan McHugh made an aggressive pass in turn four. Lines was able to pull the car to the infield with causing a stoppage.

Earlier the eight heat races saw victories to Kerry Madsen, Brooke Tatnell, Brad Sweet and Steven Lines, all from the front, while the reverse grid races saw Jackson Delamont, Braydan Willmington, Peter Milnes and Ben Atkinson greet the chequered flag first.

The C-Main was taken out by Tasmanian Mark House while Luke Oldfield, Jackson Delamont, Jake Tranter and Craig Vanderstelt made their way to the Preliminary A-Main via the B.

The night also saw a number cars roll over including Terry Kelly, Scott Reilly, Daniel Harding and Peter Milne during the heats while Eddie Lumbar rode out a big crash in the C-Main after contact with Terry Kelly.