GRANVILLE, Australia – Californian Kalib Henry raced to victory at Valvoline Raceway on Wednesday, topping the .285-mile dirt track’s “old-school” sprint car main event.

Making his debut aboard the Perrett Family Racing-owned, ADRAD/Lewiston Haulage No. 4, Henry took the lead on lap nine of 25 and led the remaining distance in the feature.

Henry beat runner-up Daniel Sayre to the checkered flag by 2.553 seconds, with third-place James Thompson coming in more than seven seconds adrift at the finish.

“It was a great chance to get our eye in for when we’re back here on January 17 and 18 for the Ultimate Nationals,” Henry said with a smile. “I think we can find a lot more speed in this car by then. I can’t wait to get back here.”

Henry was an unexpected entrant in Wednesday’s non-points special at Valvoline Raceway, using the night as a test run before the Ultimate Sydney Nationals on Jan. 17-18.

The 20-year-old will next venture north to Brisbane for a stop at Ausdeck Archerfield Speedway on Friday with the QSS World Series.

Luke Geering and Ryan Jones completed the top five in Wednesday night’s main event.

The finish:

Kalib Henry, Daniel Sayre, James Thompson, Luke Geering, Ryan Jones, Mark Attard, Mick Matchett, Peter Bourke, Kaitlyn Anthony, Mick Rowell, Jeff Lawler, Jamie Tilley, Guy Stanshall, Jimmy Matchett, Warren Vassall, Darren Salmon.