After a long and hot race on the streets at Sydney Olympic Park, Rick Kelly has claimed a hard-fought podium finish, providing a parting present to longtime sponsor Jack Daniel’s. The #15 Jack Daniel’s Racing entry started the final race of the year in fifth position, following consistent qualifying and Top 10 Shootout performances. A strong start and quick pit stops ensured that Kelly would remain in a competitive position throughout the race. The podium result, Rick’s fourth for 2015, elevates him to ninth place in the final Championship standings.
Michael Caruso overcame traffic issues in qualifying to make the Top 10 Shootout, and started the day’s 250km race in ninth. Following the first round of pit stops, the #23 Nissan NISMO entry dropped back just outside the Top 10, but Caruso kept charging and would cross the line in eighth. The result is his tenth Top 10 finish for 2015 and sees him finish the year 12th in the Championship. The #7 carsales Racing Altima of Todd Kelly raced hard all afternoon to finish in 13th. Starting the race in 19th position Todd made up several positions on the first lap, and following an early pit stop would spend the day hovering just outside Top 10. Todd finishes the 2015 Championship in 17th position.
James Moffat put a challenging weekend behind him with a strong drive from his initial 17th place on the grid. His relatively trouble-free race resulted in the #99 Faresin Industries Altima crossing the line in 16th. Moffat has now concluded his three-year relationship with Nissan Motorsport, and the whole team wishes James the best of luck in the future. The 2016 V8 Supercars Championship kicks off with the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide on March 3 to 6.
