Courtney wins Abu Dhabi thriller
James Courtney scored his first win for HRT in a thrilling V8 Supercar race in Abu Dhabi
Two lengthy safety car periods tore up the usual strategy and created an amazing finale. Courtney was ahead, but marginal on fuel, Jason Bright was second but had no such issues. He ate into Courtney's advantage and swooped into the lead with a daring pass.
But the reigning champion was able to up his pace and hold on to the Brad Jones Racing Holden. On the penultimate lap Courtney made his move, only for Bright to fightback instantly. But this left an opportunity for Courtney to re-pass once more - the lead changing three times in three corners!
This was the decisive exchange and Courtney held on for a sensational victory. It also ended Jamie Whincup's unbeaten streak at Yas Marina. He finished third having being shuffled down the order by pitting under the second safety car.
David Reynolds took a great fourth after a similar fuel gamble to Courtney's by his Straco Racing team, while Michael Caruso finished sixth for Fujitsu Racing, making it a Holden clean sweep of the top six places. Jonathon Webb was the top Ford runner in seventh.
Pos Driver Car Time/Gap
1. James Courtney Holden 1h43m14.651s
2. Jason Bright Holden + 0.607s
3. Jamie Whincup Holden + 4.827s
4. David Reynolds Holden + 7.941s
5. Michael Caruso Holden + 12.345s
6. Jonathon Webb Ford + 13.100s
7. Alex Davison Ford + 13.656s
8. Shane van Gisbergen Ford + 14.199s
9. Greg Murphy Holden + 18.076s
10. Paul Dumbrell Ford + 20.280s
11. Karl Reindler Holden + 20.497s
12. Jason Bargwanna Holden + 21.070s
13. Steve Owen Holden + 25.713s
14. Mark Winterbottom Ford + 28.110s
15. Fabian Coulthard Holden + 42.488s
16. Will Davison Ford + 49.120s
17. Warren Luff Holden + 55.617s
18. Steven Johnson Ford + 59.414s
19. Rick Kelly Holden + 1 lap
20. Dean Fiore Ford + 1 lap
21. Craig Lowndes Holden + 1 lap
22. Lee Holdsworth Holden + 5 laps
Retirements:
James Moffat Ford 26 laps
Russell Ingall Holden 19 laps
Todd Kelly Holden 3 laps
Tony D'Alberto Holden 0 laps
Garth Tander Holden 0 laps
Tim Slade Ford 0 laps
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