McHugh and Walsh Kick Off Chariots of Thunder with Statement Wins on Night 1 in Darwin | Northline Speedway (NT)

Written on 09/12/2025
Nick Coward

McHugh and Walsh Kick Off Chariots of Thunder with Statement Wins in Darwin

With images by Noah Thorley

 

Northline Speedway roared back to life as the 2025 Chariots of Thunder opened with a drama-filled Sprintcar program. Lachlan McHugh wasted no time stamping his authority on the event, topping his heat, winning the Dash, and then converting pole into a clinical A-Main victory. The NQ7 was flawless on restarts and showed composure through a night littered with cautions and red flags.

 



The 25-lap Sprintcar feature became a battle of survival. Matt Egel flipped early, Zack Grimshaw exited in flames after a frightening fuel cell fire, and Glen Sutherland flipped hard in heavy contact that left him shaken. The drama peaked when Jamie Veal pounded the fence in spectacular fashion, with Jock Goodyer flipping while trying to avoid the wreck. Through every stoppage, McHugh remained untouchable, maintaining pace and control from the front.

 

Sprintcars — Night 1 Results

 

 

Behind the leader, the fight for podium spots raged. Jordyn Charge and Dayne Kingshott traded positions in a series of slide jobs before Charge regained second, while Kingshott held firm in third. Brodie Davis impressed with a run to fourth, and Dylan Menz rounded out the top five after a late charge. Michael Pickens looked poised for a podium before a mistake ended his night prematurely.

At the flag it was McHugh continuing his unbeaten Darwin streak, winning ahead of Charge and Kingshott. Davis and Menz completed the top five, while only 12 cars finished the grueling opener. With McHugh this sharp on night one, the chase is officially on for the rest of the field.

🎥 Sprintcar Night 1 Highlights: Watch on YouTube
Video credit: Clay Per View / Northline Speedway

 



 

The Wingless Sprints delivered their own fireworks, with Northern Territory champion Blake Walsh prevailing in a tense A-Main. Walsh ran the bottom to perfection, fending off relentless pressure from Casey O’Connell, who kept his right-rear planted on the cushion. Early red flags, including a flip for Daniel Goldoni, shuffled the order, while a heavy crash for Kyle Wiseman set up a green–white–checker finish.

 

Wingless Sprints — Night 1 Results

 

 

On the restart, O’Connell threw a big slider for the lead, but Walsh crossed back under and protected the bottom groove to lock down the win. O’Connell settled for second, with Tyson Martin and Sam Wren scrapping inside the top five all night. Bailey Heinrich came through late to secure fifth.

For Walsh, it was a cool and calculated drive to open his Chariots campaign, while O’Connell, Martin, and Heinrich showed the kind of pace that hints at a wide-open Wingless battle over the next two nights. Together, both divisions set the tone for a hard-fought, unpredictable Chariots of Thunder in 2025.

🎥 Wingless Night 1 Highlights: Watch on YouTube
Video credit: Clay Per View / Northline Speedway

 

Night 1 Winners Summary

Sprintcars

  • Quick Time: Luke Storer (11.380)

  • Heat Winners: Luke Storer, Lachlan McHugh, Dane Court

  • Dash Winner: Lachlan McHugh

  • B Main Winner: Glen Sutherland

  • A Main Winner: Lachlan McHugh (over Jordyn Charge & Dayne Kingshott)

 

Wingless Sprints

  • Heat Winners: Bailey Heinrich, Sam Wren, Tyson Martin, Casey O’Connell, Sean Tiedeman, Jake Warren

  • Top 8 Dash Winner: Blake Walsh

  • B Main Winner: Zane O’Toole

  • A Main Winner: Blake Walsh (over Casey O’Connell & Tyson Martin)

 

ENDS ARTICLE