The Kelly brothers catch up with fellow Aussie Marcos Ambrose

The pair visited the event and caught up with Sprint Cup drivers Max Papis, Boris Said and former rival turned Aussie NASCAR star Marcos Ambrose.

The Bathurst winning brothers, were treated to a pre-race gridwalk and tour of the Sprint Cup garage, and also spoke with JTG Daugherty Racing owner Tad Geschickter.

The Kellys were on track to see Ambrose attempt to earn his first Sprint Cup victory but it wasn’t to be for the Aussie, who finished third after a tough battle with former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya.

“It was cool to get to see the cars and drivers up close, but I have to admit that I’d like to be standing next to one in my race suit getting ready to drive it,” said Todd Kelly.

The Kellys meet cult hero and road race ringer Boris Said

“It would be interesting to see where we would end up. It would be great to add to your resume.

“I’d like to come over and just do one race on a road course, perhaps at Nationwide level.

“Now that our team is a little more established we can perhaps do some other racing in the mid-season break if it doesn’t interrupt our work with Kelly Racing.

“Getting our team to the front is still obviously the biggest priority, but the mid-season break does open up opportunities to do some one-off international stuff.”

Rick Kelly, who like brother Todd is a massive fan of NASCAR, said that the spectators at Watkins Glen showed great passion for their racing heroes just as we see back here in Australia in V8 Supercars.

Carl Edwards leads the field after the start through "The Esses" of the Watkins Glen International. Edwards went on to finish 5th. © 2010 - Tyler Barrick Autostock

“It was great to soak up the pre-race atmosphere and get to experience the sound and the smell of those cars,” said Rick Kelly.

“It was great to see how dedicated the NASCAR fans are and the way they watch the race is really quite similar to events like Bathurst and Winton in that most of the fans camp at the track for a week.

“They all have the flag of their favourite driver flying above their camping area and they cook all their own meals on their barbeques.

“NASCAR is a great series and very unique in a lot of ways, so it’s always awesome to get the opportunity to get over to the US and see it first-hand.”

Luke Youlden pairing with Mark Winterbottom in the endurance events at Phillip Island and Bathurst

Youlden has raced at the famous Mount Panorama circuit on ten other occasions and is excited about the opportunity of not only playing a key role in the team’s chances at the endurance races but also Winterbottom’s championship campaign.

“I’m very much looking forward to this year, I’m probably just as excited this year as what I was when I made my debut alongside Christian Murchison in 2000,” said Youlden.

“There is a lot of pressure on me to do a good job but every time I’ve gone to Bathurst I’ve gone there to do a good job, so it really doesn’t require any different approach. I’ve finished on the podium at Bathurst and also the lead-up event before (Sandown 500 – 2003) and would dearly love to be up there again.”

This year marks the third year that Youlden has lined up in an Orrcon Steel-backed car for the endurance event having paired with Dean Canto – who will partner Paul Dumbrell in 2010 – during 2008 and 2009.

With the 2010 regulations requiring the regular drivers in the championship to compete in their regular cars at the endurance events, it ruled out a Winterbottom/Steve Richards combination, however, Winterbottom is pleased to have Youlden’s experience in his corner.

“It would have been nice to have gone to Bathurst with Richo again as my co-driver so that we could finish the job that we’ve worked so hard for over the past few years but the rules have changed and we’re not able to do it,” said Winterbottom.

“When you go to Bathurst there are not too many guys who have got the experience that Luke has got, his record at the Mountain is as good as anyone out there.

“Finishing is really the key in the endurance events. It is important to have a guy who can be quick but also make sure they can get the car to the finish in one piece and I think Luke has shown that he is capable of both.”

Richards, a dual Bathurst Champion, will share the driving duties in the Orrcon Steel-backed #6 Dunlop Super Dealer FPR Falcon with another second-generation racer James Moffat.

While also competing in the Fujitsu Series in 2010 Moffat will be making his debut in the ‘main game’ at the L&H 500 next month before tackling Australia’s ‘Great Race’ won by is famous father Allan on four occasions on the second weekend in October.

Mark Winterbottom crossing the line for victory in Townsville

Winterbottom was the star of the race aboard the #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon after coming from sixth place on the grid at the start of the 72-lap journey. The 29 year-old took over the front running courtesy of impressive speed and swift work from his Ford Performance Racing crew during the opening cycle of pit stops.

“Today’s win is probably one of the best wins of my career, I had a 12 second gap but then had to really fight for the win and hold off James over the final stages,” said Winterbottom.

“I had some good pace early in today’s race but when you are stuck behind someone your brakes begin to overheat, so it was good to get some clear air ahead of me and the Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon was really working well.”

Winterbottom’s pace allowed him to create a 12 second buffer over his nearest rivals by lap 45. Winterbottoms’ lead disappeared when the safety car was deployed to retrieve the stricken car of Dean Fiore, setting up an intense final stint for Winterbottom with James Courtney pressuring him for the lead.

Despite Courtney’s best efforts Winterbottom held on to record the 14th race win of his career by 1.2 seconds. The result backs up Winterbottom’s third place from yesterday and secured his fourth consecutive podium finish.

“There are some very happy guys in the garage – as there should be. When your Truckie gives you a hug you know that it is a good result,” he said.

Steve Richards in the Orrcon Steel-backed #6 Dunlop Super Dealer FPR Falcon

Steve Richards also enjoyed a pair of strong results across the weekend, highlighting the continual improvement by the Orrcon Steel-backed Ford Performance Racing outfit over the past few events.

The dual Bathurst Champion secured ninth spot yesterday before going on to record his best finish of the year so far with a fine fifth placing during today’s race.

“It is a fantastic result for the team,” said Richards.

“Finishing inside the top ten yesterday was a good result, then to get a top five finish today was a huge boost for everyone in the team.”

Courtney’s second place finish today behind Winterbottom, keeps him  in the lead of the championship after eight events ahead of yesterday’s race winner Jamie Whincup.

The championship now takes an eight week hiatus before returning to the track for the L&H 500 at Phillip Island in mid November.

Event 8 of the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series
Sucrogen Townsville 400
Townsville, QLD

RESULTS: Race 2 (Series Race 16)

The #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon of Mark Winterbottom

1. #5 Mark Winterbottom
2. #18 James Courtney
3. #2 Garth Tander
4. #55 Paul Dumbrell
5. #6 Steve Richards
6. #22 Will Davison
7. #9 Shane Van Gisbergen
8. #8 Jason Richards
9. #19 Jonathan Webb
10. #11 Jason Bargwanna

RESULTS: Race 1 (Series Race 15)
1. #1 Jamie Whincup
2. #2 Garth Tander
3. #5 Mark Winterbottom
4. #33 Lee Holdsworth
5. #18 James Courtney
6. #39 Russell Ingall
7. #8 Jason Richards
8. #9 Shane Van Gisbergen
9. #6 Steve Richards
10. #55 Paul Dumbrell

V8 Supercar Championship Series Points Standings
After Race 16 of 26
1. James Courtney 1947
2. Jamie Whincup 1827
3. Mark Winterbottom 1623
4. Shane Van Gisbergen 1598
5. Garth Tander 1509
6. Craig Lowndes 1479
7. Lee Holdsworth 1398
8. Rick Kelly 1352
9. Michael Caruso 1259
10. Steven Johnson 1151
20. Steve Richards 810

McNally brought the #16 Hi-Tec Oils Holden Commodore into the pits for repairs on lap 74, with the crew working feverishly to replace the alternator to get the car back on track to finish the race.

The #16 Hi-Tec Oils Holden Commodore of Mark McNally and Tony Ricciardello at Phillip Island

“It was very unfortunate, we had an alternator fail,” said McNally.

“We ended up dropping maybe 12 laps in the pits while they changed the alternator, if we had have pushed on everything would have gone flat and we would have stopped anyway.

Their efforts paid dividends with the entry being classified in 22nd position to earn 52 vital championship points.

Both drivers were buoyed by the consistency of the Hi-Tec Oils Commodore before the alternator problem, giving them confidence leading into Bathurst next month.

“I think it is really good to get some mileage today in the Hi-Tec Oils Commodore. It is great preparation for Bathurst and I am learning to work with the team, myself and Mark are learning to work together as well. It’s going to take some time but I think we are ready for Bathurst,” said Ricciardello.

Will Davison and Garth Tander won today’s L&H 500 ahead of Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes and the pairing of Mark Winterbottom and Steven Richards.

“I am looking forward to Bathurst,” said McNally.

“Bathurst, I have so much respect for it. This place can be a bit daunting but we had a reasonable car, but Bathurst is a different kettle of fish all together. You go to Bathurst and the thing is on edge the whole time.”

The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will be held at the iconic Mount Panorama circuit on October 8-11.

2009 V8 Supercar Championship Standings
Championship Points – After Race 17 of 26
1. Jamie Whincup 2254
2. Will Davison 2083
3. Garth Tander 1738
4. Craig Lowndes 1725
5. Steven Johnson 1590
6. Mark Winterbottom 1574
7. James Courtney 1370
8. Russell Ingall 1364
9. Rick Kelly 1336
10. Lee Holdsworth 1310
31. Mark McNally 231
54. Tony Ricciardello 75

It was a workman-like effort from the pairing, who were on the wrong end of several incidents with rivals that saw the #11 Dodo Holden Commodore make several off-road excursions.

The Dodo Holden Commodore of Dale Wood and Jack Perkins at Phillip Island

“Any time you can get in the top 15 it’s a good result,” said Jack Perkins.

Despite the incidents, the pairing brought the Dodo Commodore home for one of its strongest performances for the season.

“You always want a bit better and top 10 would have been great but anyway that’s not to be,” said Wood.

“It was always going to be hard starting 21st, but the Dodo Commodore was great and held together strong for the whole race.”

Will Davison and Garth Tander won today’s L&H 500 ahead of Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes and the pairing of Mark Winterbottom and Steven Richards.

“I can’t wait for Bathurst, I love the race, I love the track. Last year we had a solid top 10 result there and I’m looking forward to taking the Dodo Commodore into the top 10 there as well,” said Perkins.

The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will be held at Mount Panorama circuit on October 8-11.

RESULTS: L&H 500
1. #2 Will Davison/Garth Tander – 113 laps
2. #888 Craig Lowndes/Jamie Whincup
3. #6 Steve Richards/Mark Winterbottom
4. #17 James Courtney/Steve Johnson
5. #7 Rick Kelly/Todd Kelly
6. #18 Warren Luff/Jonathon Webb
7. #39 Russell Ingall/Tim Slade
8. #22 Craig Baird/Paul Dumbrell
9. #5 Dean Canto/Luke Youlden
10. #9 Alex Davison/Shane Van Gisbergen
14. #11 Jack Perkins/Dale Wood

2009 V8 Supercar Championship Standings
Championship Points – After Race 17 of 26
1. Jamie Whincup 2254
2. Will Davison 2083
3. Garth Tander 1738
4. Craig Lowndes 1725
5. Steven Johnson 1590
6. Mark Winterbottom 1574
7. James Courtney 1370
8. Russell Ingall 1364
9. Rick Kelly 1336
10. Lee Holdsworth 1310
26. Jack Perkins 653
29. Dale Wood 452

Starting sixth, Davison jumped off the start to fourth place before moving to third on just the fourth lap of the race. The IRWIN Racing driver slotted in behind leaders Jamie Whincup and his brother Will Davison, before a loose wheel ruined any chance of a strong finish on lap 18.

IRIWN Racing's Alex Davison with race engineer Paul Forgie at Phillip Island September 11, 2009. (pic John Pryke)

“It started unbelievably for the IRWIN/SP Tools Ford. We got a great start, moved into third and looked set for a strong afternoon. We certainly had the pace to run with the leaders, but then we had a loose wheel,” said Davison.
Smoke from the right front wheel was the first indication of something going wrong before the tyre punctured heading into Lukey Heights. Davison drove the #9 IRWIN/SP Tools Ford slowly back to the pits before the team changed all four wheels and filled the car full of fuel. Davison returned to the track a lap down on the leaders and in 28th position before a safety car put him back on the lead lap.

“I first got an indication of something being wrong at turn 2 and then around the other side of the circuit it cut the tyre down,” said Davison.

Over the next 24 laps he charged back up the order to 10th place before handing the car over to team-mate Shane van Gisbergen on lap #51. Van Gisbergen was able to maintain the rage, but with no further safety cars for the remainder of the race he could not truly show the pace of the IRWIN/SP Tools Racing Falcon.

IRWIN Racing's Daniel Gaunt at Phillip Island (pic Scott Wensley)

“We will have to have a good look at what caused the wheel to become loose. It’s important to isolate the reasons behind it heading to Bathurst and make sure it doesn’t happen again. It was a 500km sprint this afternoon and it really turned into a hard day with no further safety cars to give us a leg up,” said team owner Ross Stone.

As well as finishing 10th in the race, the Davison/van Gisbergen Falcon finished ninth on points after scoring points in yesterday’s qualifying races.

The second #4 IRWIN/SP Tools Racing Ford of John McIntyre and Daniel Gaunt made a solid start to the race from 12th position. McIntyre steered clear of numerous incidents over the opening laps before handing the car to Gaunt on lap #55. Running in 24th position, Gaunt put his down for a solid 58-lap run through to the chequered flag to take a 17th place finish.

“It was a pretty hard afternoon and I certainly doubled my V8 experience. Although we had hoped for a final placing a little further up the order, it was important to finish. The car had pretty good pace and we passed and drove away from everyone around us,” said Gaunt.

With the qualifying points added, the #4 duo finished 16th for the weekend; an encouraging result for two non full-time V8 Supercar Championship Series drivers.

The IRWIN/SP Tools Racing team will now focus their energies on the Australia’s premier motor sports race, the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 on 8-11 October.

Race Results: L&H 500
1. #2 Will Davison/Garth Tander – 113 laps
2. #888 Craig Lowndes/Jamie Whincup
3. #6 Steve Richards/Mark Winterbottom
4. #17 James Courtney/Steve Johnson
5. #7 Rick Kelly/Todd Kelly
6. #18 Warren Luff/Jonathon Webb
7. #39 Russell Ingall/Tim Slade
8. #22 Craig Baird/Paul Dumbrell
9. #5 Dean Canto/Luke Youlden
10. #9 Alex Davison/Shane Van Gisbergen
17. #4 Daniel Gaunt/John McIntyre

Championship Points
After Race 17 of 26

1. Jamie Whincup 2007
2. Will Davison 1824
3. Garth Tander 1479
4. Craig Lowndes 1478
5. Steven Johnson 1374
6. Mark Winterbottom 1332
7. Lee Holdsworth 1269
8. Russell Ingall 1187
9. James Courtney 1154
10. Michael Caruso 1134
19. Alex Davison 1038

The pairing are well-placed for an assault on the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 next month, having proven one of the strongest combinations in the field aboard their #7 Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore and finishing a close second in their one and only appearance paired together at Mount Panorama.

The #7 Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodore of Todd and Rick Kelly at Phillip Island

It could have been even better for the team-mates, with the combination on course for a podium finish mid-way through the 113-lap race, an encouraging sign just sixth months after Kelly Racing opened its doors.

“All the development has come to play at the right time,” said Todd Kelly.

“We haven’t changed the car since Queensland now and we want to leave it the same for the rest of the year.”

A seatbelt problem in Todd Kelly’s second stint in the Jack Daniel’s Commodore slowed his pace, causing him to lose several positions and vital track position to the leaders.

“When I got in the belt was twisted and it gave me a little bit of aggro,” said Todd Kelly.

“It cut the circulation off in my leg and it was a bit of a rough stint. That cost us a fair bit of track position today so that was a bit unfortunate.”

Kelly was able to alleviate the problem with his belts to improve the circulation to his legs, allowing him to return to his earlier strong pace.

Rick Kelly climbed back aboard for the final stint of the race and was able to reclaim two positions in the final stages, claiming the sixth top five and 15th top 10 finish for Jack Daniel’s Racing so far this season.

“It’s a little bit deflating to have two little mishaps, one with the ballast on Saturday and one with the belts today, cost us a chance at fighting for the win,” said Rick Kelly.

“I think that we’re nine tenths of the way there, particularly at this track with our pace as a team. We just need to sneak that little bit more out of the Jack Daniel’s Commodore and just stop silly little things getting in our way.”

Jack Daniel's Racing driver Ben Collins at Phillip Island

Nathan Pretty and Ben Collins scored an encouraging 18th place finish aboard the #15 Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore, charging through the pack after starting down the order.

“It’s very different to anything I’ve ever driven and that’s the first time that I’ve done long runs in the car and getting used to how the tyre grip and the degradation of the tyre, swapping from low to full tanks, etc,“ said Collins.

“I know Bathurst is a completely different challenge but I feel a lot better having got a full race weekend under my belt.”

Will Davison and Garth Tander won today’s L&H 500 ahead of Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes and the pairing of Mark Winterbottom and Steven Richards.

The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will be held at the iconic Mount Panorama circuit on October 8-11.

2009 V8 Supercar Championship Standings
Championship Points – After Race 17 of 26
1. Jamie Whincup 2254
2. Will Davison 2083
3. Garth Tander 1738
4. Craig Lowndes 1725
5. Steven Johnson 1590
6. Mark Winterbottom 1574
7. James Courtney 1370
8. Russell Ingall 1364
9. Rick Kelly 1336
10. Lee Holdsworth 1310
16. Todd Kelly 1095
48. Nathan Pretty 90
48. Ben Collins 90

It reveals that the championship will start early and will include a nine-week mid-season break, meaning the season will have a distinctive autumn and spring phase to it.

The earlier start has compacted the two-half season with 10 events up until mid-June, a nine-week break and six events to finish the season, culminating again with the massive Sydney Telstra 500 in December.

In other calendar movements the Falken Tasmania Challenge has been moved to November from this year’s May date while the Norton 360 Challenge at Sandown has also been shifted to the more weather friendly date of November 19-21, slotting the BigPond Perth 300 to a more workable June date.

It also enables a top-end loop for teams to curve around the country from Perth to Darwin, Darwin to Townsville in one movement, if they choose to take that option.

The 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series:

18 – 20 February Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi
25 – 27 February Desert 400, Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain
11 – 14 March Clipsal 500, Adelaide Parklands, SA#
26 – 28 March Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, VIC
16 – 18 April ITM Hamilton 400, Hamilton, NZ
31 April – 2 May Qld Raceway, QLD#*
14 – 16 May Winton, VIC#
4 – 6 June BigPond 300, Barbagallo, WA*
18 – 20 June SKYCITY Triple Crown, Hidden Valley, NT
9 – 11 July Dunlop Townsville 400, Townsville, QLD#
MID SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP BREAK
10 – 12 Sept L&H 500, Phillip Island, VIC
7 – 10 Oct Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, Mt Panorama, NSW#
21 – 24 Oct SuperGP, Surfers Paradise, QLD
5 – 7 Nov Falken Tasmania Challenge, Symmons Plains, TAS
19 – 21 Nov Norton 360 Sandown Challenge, Sandown, VIC#
3 – 5 Dec Sydney Telstra 500, Homebush, NSW#

* Denotes provisional
# Denotes Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series

The FPR Racing Ford Falcon V8 of Winterbottom and Richards

With this weekend’s event being the first endurance race of the year Winterbottom and Richards are sharing the driving duties aboard the #6 Castrol Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon. Alongside the pair in the Orrcon Steel-backed FPR team is Dean Canto and Luke Youlden who will campaign the #5 Orrcon Steel Castol FPR Falcon across the weekend and at Bathurst next month.

“The qualifying format tomorrow allows both drivers to have input and considering you both have to do a good job to win the race, I think it is good that both drivers to be able to be a part qualifying,” said Winterbotttom.

The same four Orrcon Steel-backed FPR drivers took to the circuit for the endurance events last year making the team the only one in pit lane to have a completely unchanged line-up from last year’s endurance events.

Richards completed the majority of the early running of today’s practice session before Winterbottom took over the wheel of the #6 Castrol Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon. The time of 1m33.7901s, set by Winterbottom, was marginally faster than the second quickest of the day set by Jamie Whincup.

“Finishing fastest on Friday is a great way to start the weekend,” said Richards.

“This is one of the circuits that we go to where the cars are really affected by the wind direction, so tomorrow we’ll have to set the sail on a different direction depending on the wind.”

Luke Youlden on board the #5 Orrcon Steel Castrol FPR Falcon at Phillip Island

Canto and Youlden endured an issue with the power steering on the #5 Orrcon Steel Castol FPR Falcon midway through today’s session before finishing the day in 24th position on the timing charts.

“Today was all about getting my eye in but it didn’t quite end up as planned,” said Canto.

“We had a few issues with a power steering hose which cost is some time during the middle of the session. At the moment we’re battling with locking the rear brakes on turn in which is something we will have to work on overnight.

Tomorrow’s action consists of a qualifying session and 14-lap ‘supersprint’ race for each driver to decide the grid for Sunday’s 500km encounter.

PRACTICE
1. #6 M.Winterbottom/S.Richards 1:33.7901
2. #888 C.Lowndes/J.Whincup 1:33.8128
3. #8 C.McConville/J.Richards 1:33.9456
4. #25 J.Bright/K.Reindler 1:34.0502
5. #22 C.Baird/P.Dumbrell 1:34.0747
6. #111 F.Coulthard/M.Patrizi 1:34.0849
7. #9 A.Davison/S.Van Gisbergen 1:34.1021
8. #18 W.Luff/J.Webb 1:34.2492
9. #7 R.Kelly/T.Kelly 1:34.3062
10. #2 W.Davison/G.Tander 1:34.4020
24. #5 D.Canto/L.Youlden 1:35.7747

Championship Points After Race 16 of 26
1. Jamie Whincup 2007
2. Will Davison 1824
3. Garth Tander 1479
4. Craig Lowndes 1478
5. Steven Johnson 1374
6. Mark Winterbottom 1332
7. Lee Holdsworth 1269
8. Russell Ingall 1187
9. James Courtney 1154
10. Michael Caruso 1134
16. Steve Richards 1011

The brothers’ #7 Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore finished the day with the ninth fastest time on combined results, with the duo and Race Engineer David Swenson pleased with the speed found over the course of the day with various set-up work at the 4.446-kilometre circuit.

Kelly Racing's Jim Beam Commodore at Lukey Heights

“We had a tough first session, we tried a few things and didn’t really make a lot of progress and then in the break we made a couple of significant changes on the Jack Daniel’s Commodore and it went like a jet from the start of the second part of practice,” said Rick Kelly.

Endurance specialists Nathan Pretty and Ben Collins were 18th fastest on combined times aboard the #15 Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore, an encouraging start for the pair.

British driver Collins compared the fast and flowing Phillip Island layout to the Thruxton and Oulton Park circuits in his homeland, while Pretty used today’s practice to reacquaint himself with V8 Supercar competition.

Ben Collins in a Kelly Racing Jim Beam V8 Commodore at Phillip Island

“Phillip Island is a fantastic circuit, a mixture of two tracks we have back home, Thruxton, which is fast, and Oulton Park, which has a lot of the gradient changes,” said Collins (AKA the Stig?) .

“So it’s great fun and I really enjoy it. It also looks like a very good track for racing and there’s lots of places where you can potentially pass but whether that’s the case or not, we will see on Saturday.”

Tomorrow will see separate practice, qualifying and qualifying heat races for each driver to determine the starting grid for Sunday’s L&H 500.

“We are getting miles under our belt,” said Nathan Pretty.

“It’s been 12 months since I have been here. Ben hasn’t even been here yet so it’s a matter of getting comfortable with the car again and getting back in the groove.

Mark Winterbottom set the fastest time in practice today ahead of Jamie Whincup and the Brad Jones Racing Commodore of Jason Richards and Cameron McConville.

RESULTS: Combined Friday Practice
1. #6 M.Winterbottom/S.Richards1:33.7901
2. #888 C.Lowndes/J.Whincup 1:33.8128
3. #8 C.McConville/J.Richards 1:33.9456
4. #25 J.Bright/K.Reindler 1:34.0502
5. #22 C.Baird/P.Dumbrell 1:34.0747
6. #111 F.Coulthard/M.Patriz1:34.0849
7. #9 A.Davison/S.Van Gisbergen 1:34.1021
8. #18 W.Luff/J.Webb 1:34.2492
9. #7 R.Kelly/T.Kelly 1:34.3062
10. #2 W.Davison/G.Tander 1:34.4020
15. #11 J.Perkins/D.Wood 1:34.8203
18. #15 B.Collins/N.Pretty 1:35.1090
24. #16 M.McNally/T.Ricciardello 1:35.7736

JACK DANIEL’S RACING DRIVERS AT PHILLIP ISLAND:

Rick Kelly – #7 Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore:

2008 Qualifying: Sixth
2008 Qualifying Race (A): FIRST
2008 Race: Seventh (with Paul Radisich)

Todd Kelly – #7 Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore:

2008 Qualifying: 25th
2008 Qualifying Race (A): 19th
2008 Race: 13th (with Shane Price)

Nathan Pretty – #15 Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore:

2008 Qualifying: 24th
2008 Qualifying Race (A): 21st
2008 Race: Eighth (with Jack Perkins)

Ben Collins – #15 Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore:

V8 Supercar debut at Phillip Island.

2009 V8 Supercar Championship Standings
Championship Points – After Race 16 of 26
1. Jamie Whincup 2007
2. Will Davison 1824
3. Garth Tander 1479
4. Craig Lowndes 1478
5. Steven Johnson 1374
6. Mark Winterbottom 1332
7. Lee Holdsworth 1269
8. Russell Ingall 1187
9. James Courtney 1154
10. Michael Caruso 1134
11. Rick Kelly 1133
18. Todd Kelly 892
26. Jack Perkins 534
30. Dale Wood 333
31. Mark McNally 156

L&H 500 DETAILS:

Circuit: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
Location: Phillip Island, Victoria
Circuit Length: 4.446 kilometres
Format: Two 14-lap qualifying races (Saturday – one per driver) and 113-lap race (Sunday – Both drivers)
2008 Qualifying Driver A Pole: Mark Winterbottom
2008 Qualifying Driver B Pole: Jamie Whincup
2008 Heat Race A Winner: Rick Kelly
2008 Heat Race B Winner: Jamie Whincup
2008 L&H 500 Winner: Garth Tander & Mark Skaife