Jack Daniel’s Racing driver Rick Kelly has performed admirably to finish sixth in the final race of the Clipsal 500 in the streets of Adelaide in South Australia today.
But it could have been even better for Kelly, with a podium chance slipping away when a lengthy Safety Car period in the second half of the race erased the advantage Kelly had gained through smart strategy and solid car speed in his #15 Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore.
With around 20 laps remaining Kelly was fuelled to go to the finish and set for a podium as the second car in the race order to have completed three pit stops.
But on Lap 58 the race was held up as officials worked to repair the broken apex kerb at Turn 8, with the lengthy Safety Car period allowing cars that had made two pit stops to save enough fuel to make it to the finish.
Kelly came home in sixth position after qualifying in that same position earlier today, maintaining seventh place in the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series standings after six races.
Todd Kelly drove a steady race today aboard the #7 Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore, recovering from a disappointing qualifying performance earlier in the day where he was down in 22nd place.
He recovered well to gradually rise through the order during the 78-lap race and come home in 12th position to record two top 15 place finishes this weekend and start to get his championship back on track.
Garth Tander won today’s final race of the Clipsal 500 today ahead of James Courtney and Mark Winterbottom.
Jack Daniel’s Racing will be back in action in two weeks time for a non-points event at the Qantas Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix before crossing the Tasman Sea for the fourth event of the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series at the ITM Hamilton 400 in New Zealand on April 16-18.
JACK DANIEL’S RACING QUOTEBOARD
RICK KELLY - #15 Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore:
“It was a very tough race,” said Rick Kelly.
“We treated every lap as a qualifying lap out there and it didn’t go our way in the end.
“The strategy we had today, like yesterday, could have very much gone our way if the Safety Cars had been in different spots and both days I think we were a little bit hard done by with what happened.
“Nevertheless when we come back next year we need to find just a little bit more pace. We don't need a lot more, just a little bit.
“It was by far the toughest Clipsal 500 I've ever been in as far as the pace that everyone was doing. You've seen the winner in the past miss corners, have spins, change batteries and all sorts of stuff.
“This weekend was just more intense and that's the way it's going to be all year so we need to keeping move forward as a team and improving our Jack Daniel’s Commodores.”
TODD KELLY - #7 Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore:
“We certainly wanted to be closer to the front but it does get the points looking a little bit better,” said Todd Kelly.
“We worked on some new developments on my Jack Daniel’s Commodore this weekend and we learned a hell of a lot to take into the Grand Prix.
“There is promise there but overall we would have liked to be further up there.
“We achieved a bit technically but the results are not where we need to be. The potential is there so we will continue to work hard.”
V8 Supercar Championship Series Points Standings
After Race 6 of 26
1. Jamie Whincup 771
2. Mark Winterbottom 714
3. James Courtney 696
4. Shane Van Gisbergen 630
5. Lee Holdsworth 573
6. Craig Lowndes 552
7. Rick Kelly 530
8. Paul Dumbrell 489
9. Michael Caruso 462
10. Steven Johnson 455
23. Todd Kelly 237
RESULTS: Clipsal 500 Race 2 (Series Race 6):
1. #2 Garth Tander 78 laps
2. #18 James Courtney
3. #5 Mark Winterbottom
4. #9 Shane van Gisbergen
5. #55 Paul Dumbrell
6. #15 Rick Kelly
7. #3 Tony D'Alberto
8. #17 Steven Johnson
9. #8 Jason Richards
10. #34 Michael Caruso
12. #7 Todd Kelly
