James McFadden Continues High Limit Racing Parity with Victory at Central Arizona Raceway
CASA GRANDE, ARIZ. (March 22, 2026) – James McFadden secured his first win of the 2026 season and became the sixth different winner in six Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing events, topping the finale of the Cactus Classic presented by Avanti Windows & Doors at Central Arizona Raceway on Saturday night. McFadden drove the Tarlton Racing No. 21 to victory, adding to the already impressive parity of the series.
McFadden Outduels Scelzi for the Win
Starting from the outside pole, McFadden quickly overtook Giovanni Scelzi into the first turn and established the early lead. The Australian driver maintained control through lap traffic until a red flag on Lap 11 for a Daison Pursley incident. The restart placed Scelzi directly behind McFadden, and “Hot Sauce” briefly took the lead on Lap 12 before McFadden rallied to regain control on Lap 13.
A late-race caution on Lap 25 set up a five-lap sprint to the finish. McFadden expertly managed the pressure, crossing the finish line with a 0.511-second advantage. This marks McFadden’s fourth career win with Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing, with his previous three victories coming during his 2024 campaign with Roth Motorsports.
A Historic Victory for Tarlton Racing
This win represents the first High Limit Racing victory for Tarlton Racing, joining Jason Meyers and Carson Macedo as teams to reach victory lane with Tommy Tarlton. McFadden was the sixth driver to earn a CASM Win Sticker this season, following Kyle Larson, Corey Day, Aaron Reutzel, Rico Abreu, and Tanner Thorson.
Strong Performances Throughout the Field
Giovanni Scelzi finished second, achieving his best result of the season with Spire Motorsports. Brad Sweet, the 2024 Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing champion, returned to the podium with a third-place finish, showcasing a strong performance after starting 10th. Sye Lynch secured a season-best fourth-place finish, and Aaron Reutzel rounded out the top five.
The top ten was completed by Tyler Courtney, Logan Seavey, Tanner Thorson, Ryan Timms, and Rico Abreu.
Cactus Classic Notes
- Fastest in Hot Laps: Brad Sweet (13.598)
- Capitol Custom Trailers QuickTime Flight A: Aaron Reutzel (13.070)
- Capitol Custom Trailers QuickTime Flight B: Sye Lynch (13.092)
- TJ Forged Heat One Winner: James McFadden
- DMI Heat Two Winner: Logan Seavey
- BR Motorsports Heat Three Winner: Sye Lynch
- Rod End Supply Heat Four Winner: Brenham Crouch
- FK Rod Ends Dash Winner: Giovanni Scelzi
- Winters Performance B-Main Winner: Brent Marks
- DURST Dice Roll Driver: Logan Seavey (4th-to-7th)
- Jake’s Golf Carts Fastest Lap: James McFadden (14.103 on Lap 1)
- Rayce Rudeen Foundation Rookie of the Race: Tanner Holmes (13th)
- Rod End Supply Hard Charger: Brad Sweet (+7 positions)
Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing Championship Standings (After 6 of 64 Races)
- Tanner Thorson – 406 pts
- Rico Abreu – 384 pts
- Giovanni Scelzi – 376 pts
- Aaron Reutzel – 372 pts
- Tyler Courtney – 344 pts
- Kerry Madsen – 328 pts
- Justin Peck – 306 pts
- Tanner Holmes – 284 pts
- Daison Pursley – 281 pts
- Sye Lynch – 268 pts
What’s Next
Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing will return to live national television on Tuesday, March 24, with the Roto-Rooter Midweek Series airing on FS1 from Vado Speedway Park in Novel Mexico. Tickets are available at HighLimitRacing.com, and every lap can be streamed live on FloRacing.
Worth a look