JOHN Lund is the undisputed king of stock car racing after claiming a record-breaking seventh world championship.

The Rimington farmer's win eclipsed the six world titles held by the legendary stock car driver Stuart Smith since 1985.

Lund, 46, fended off a fierce challenge from 32 of the sport's best drivers to take a hugely-popular victory in front of a 25,000 capacity crowd at Coventry Motor Speedway.

"I've waited a long time for this -- and it feels fantastic," said Lund, who won his first world championship back in 1987.

"It hasn't sunk in yet, and I can't remember all that much about the race. I'm waiting for the video to see what happened!"

Although he hadn't won a race all season, Lund had accumulated enough points in the 12 qualifying rounds to claim third place on the starting grid behind Andy Smith, son of Stuart, and 1998 world champion Frankie Wainman Junior. As the lights turned green, it was Smith who took advantage of his pole position to lead, with Lund grabbing second from Wainman Junior after surging through on the inside line.

The expected clash wasn't long in coming when Wainman forced Lund into the barriers on the back straight, relegating the 53 car down the order.

But lap six saw the end of Wainman's title challenge, when he spun out at turn three and ended up facing the wrong way down the track.

As the charging pack tried to avoid Wainman's stricken car, a pile-up ensued, bringing out the yellow 'no overtaking' flags.

As the field closed up behind Smith, Lund seized his chance when the race got under way again, sending second-placed Ray Witts wide and starting his pursuit of the leader.

With eight laps to go, it was clear that Smith's 391 car was suffering from engine trouble, and Lund steadily reeled him in, hitting the front six laps from the end.

"The plan was to avoid trouble in the first few laps, and then make progress as the track started the clear," explained Lund.

"When I got up to second, I just focused on getting past Andy Smith.

"I couldn't believe it when the chequered flag came out. I could hear everyone cheering and I realised I'd done it.

"This was the race I wanted to win above all else, and it's only thanks to my wife Annette, family and service crew."