Second for Jack Daniel's Racing in surfer's paradise

GOLD COAST, Queensland, Australia – Jack Daniel's Zero Sugar Cola Nissan Altima drivers Rick Kelly and David Russell claimed second place in the final endurance race of the season, the Castrol Gold Coast 600.

The result is Kelly's third podium finish of the season, after a second place effort at Winton, and a third at Hidden Valley.

For Russell, the result was his maiden V8 Supercars Championship podium and comes on the same day that he claimed second overall in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia after finishing second in all three races for the weekend.

Starting from 14th place, Russell initially dropped ground, falling back to 23rd position at end of the first lap.

Using an alternate strategy that saw three pit stops completed before the bulk of the field, Kelly scythed through the pack in the closing laps, while also conserving fuel.

Kelly eventually made it to second position with five laps remaining, and held station to the checkered flag.

After 27 races of season 2015, Kelly remains in ninth position in the point standings.

The next championship round is schedule at Pukekohe Park Raceway in New Zealand.

JACK DANIEL'S RACING QUOTEBOARD
Rick Kelly - #15 Nissan Altima

"It was a really exciting race for us," said Rick Kelly.

"We didn't get off the line too well, which gave us a really open strategy, whereas yesterday we had the pressure on and we couldn't do much but to follow everyone else, and it didn't go our way.

"For us, Dave did a good job and got back in front of car seven, which gave us pit priority. We took a quick splash of fuel in the early safety car and it really helped us with the strategy.

"We short fuelled, had good track position when I jumped in, and then that safety car came out quite early, which gave us a massive project of trying to save the fuel to get to the finish.

"For me I'm excited about that. I love a good project in the car, and we had to come up with a way of making good lap times while saving fuel.

"We managed to do it. George (Commins) and the boys did a good job of keeping me up to date, and it's a fantastic way to finish off the Enduro Cup.

"It's been a tougher one for us. We would have loved better results at the other races, but to finish it off with a second is pretty special for us.

"We can take a lot from that and head to the next race with a smile on our face."

David Russell - #15 Nissan Altima

"I'm so thrilled to be honest," said David Russell.

"It has been an up and down endurance cup for us, so to come away from this weekend with a second, my first podium in V8 Supercars – it's very exciting.

"It didn't happen in the best of styles today. I would have liked to have handed over to Rick in a better position, but at the same time, a part of your job when things aren't going well is not to chuck it into the fence and bring back a steaming wreck.

"Things didn't quite go to plan, but Rick did an amazing job with his fuel saving. Not only that, but also the pace he had was spot on.

"It was an amazing race. It's a testament to all of hard working crew at Nissan Motorsport and on the Jack Daniel's Racing crew.

"To reward them with a podium is very important to us. I feel that Rick and I are well and truly overdue for a result. We've been on for a result in the past but things haven't gone our way. But today they did, and I'm very happy with that." 

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