OREANDA-NEWS. December 09, 2015.  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.

NISSAN MOTORSPORT QUOTEBOARD

Rick Kelly, #15 Jack Daniel's Racing Nissan Altima

"It was a very exciting way to end the year. We’ve got a lot of momentum and very exciting pace, exciting strategy and an exciting team.

"But today was all about Jack Daniel’s, and it was a great way to say ‘thank you very much’ for their support.

"To be with the team for seven years and the category for 10 is testament to the people there, and for us, we couldn’t be more excited by the result.

"It was a fantastic day."
 
Todd Kelly, #7 carsales Racing Nissan Altima V8

"Today it didn't roll out our way. We had a pretty tough car to drive from the first lap of the race, which it made the race a hard one. We also had a few pretty average pit stops, so where we ended up is where we ended up. But it’s great for the team to have Rick on the podium and have Jack Daniel’s sent off with a podium like that is pretty cool.

"We’re starting to get a lot closer now with all the things we’ve got in the pipeline for next season, and we’re all pretty excited. It’ll be good to have a break, but saying that we’ve got a lot of work we need to get done to start next season at the next level from where we are at right now"

Michael Caruso, #23 NISMO Nissan Altima V8

"It’s nice to finish inside the Top 10, but today was another 'what could have been,' which is a little disappointing. But we’ll definitely work hard in the off-season to make it better for next year.

"As far as highlights for 2015, the podium as Winton was great. It was nice to take home a trophy and reward the boys for their hard work.

"For then next month I’ll probably do absolutely nothing and just recover. There will be plenty of hard work to be had in the new year, so I’ll make sure I’m mentally and physically prepared for the challenge."

James Moffat, #99 Faresin Industries Nissan Altima V8

"It's been a bit of a disastrous weekend and not how I wanted to finish my year or my time with the team. So I'm disappointed for that and for the guys. They did a mega job all weekend having to fix the car a couple of times. We managed to half salvage something today and then we got punted on the last lap, which sums up my year: wrong place at the wrong time.

"I'd just like to thank all the guys on my car and everyone who has gone to make the last three years a bit of fun.

"I think to be the first race winner with Nissan will be something I'll look back on and be proud of. I feel like we've missed a few opportunities this year, but that's just how racing goes sometimes. Good luck to everybody in the team and I wish them all the success"

RACE 36

1. Shane van Gisbergen
2. Jamie Whincup
3. Rick Kelly
4. Mark Winterbottom
5. David Reynolds
6. Craig Lowndes
7. Lee Holdsworth
8. Michael Caruso
9. Scott Pye
10. Fabian Coulthard
13. Todd Kelly
16. James Moffat

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
After all 36 races.

1. Mark Winterbottom 3126
2. Craig Lowndes -238
3. David Reynolds -336
4. Shane van Gisbergen -534
5. Jamie Whincup -599
6. Garth Tander -662
7. Fabian Coulthard -704
8. Scott McLaughlin -1041
9. Rick Kelly -1092
10. James Courtney -1136
12. Michael Caruso -1348
17. Todd Kelly -1582
18. James Moffat -1603