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Richards Wins Race 1

Steven Richards won the first race at Oran Park after two drivers ahead of him received penalties during the race

Richards was set for third position until the Ford duo of Marcos Ambrose were both given penalties for speeding in pit lane. Russell Ingall finished a close second just ahead of an impressive drive for Greg Murphy after qualifying 18th.

At the start Ambrose held on to the lead ahead of Rick Kelly, Craig Lowndes, Russell Ingall and Steven Richards. A near stall for Skaife was compounded when he received a drivethrough penalty for jumping the start.

Lowndes passed Kelly for second on lap five as he tried to keep in touch with Ambrose. Most of the field were soon in for their compulsory tyre stops, most taking two although Rick Kelly took four after struggling in the opening laps of the race.

After the stops it looked to be a battle for the race win between Ambrose and Lowndes, but before the fight could begin, both drivers were given a drivethrough penalty for speeding in pit lane, dropping them to 15th and 20th respectively.

Up front it was now Richards with Ingall on his rear bumper, as Murphy who had struggled in qualifying, ran third and closed on the leading duo. Meanwhile Ambrose and Lowndes were fighting their way back through the order.

In the closing laps Murphy caught Ingall, but just as Ingall couldn't find a way past Richards, Murphy couldn't find a way past Ingall. A stunning comeback by Ambrose saw him take fourth place from Rick Kelly on the last lap heading into the last corner, while Lowndes made it back into the top ten in ninth.

Result of Race One, Oran Park Raceway:

Pos  Driver              Car
 1.  Steven Richards     Holden Commodore VY
 2.  Russell Ingall      Ford Falcon BA
 3.  Greg Murphy         Holden Commodore VZ
 4.  Marcos Ambrose      Ford Falcon BA
 5.  Rick Kelly          Holden Commodore VZ
 6.  Jason Richards      Holden Commodore VZ
 7.  Jason Bright        Ford Falcon BA
 8.  Cameron McConville  Holden Commodore VZ
 9.  Craig Lowndes       Ford Falcon BA
10.  Steven Johnson      Ford Falcon BA
11.  Jason Bargwanna     Ford Falcon BA
12.  Paul Radisich       Holden Commodore VZ
13.  Max Wilson          Holden Commodore VZ
14.  Paul Weel           Holden Commodore VZ
15.  Greg Ritter         Ford Falcon BA
16.  Mark Skaife         Holden Commodore VZ
17.  Paul Dumbrell       Holden Commodore VY
18.  Glenn Seton         Ford Falcon BA
19.  David Besnard       Ford Falcon BA
20.  John Bowe           Ford Falcon BA
21.  Alex Davison        Holden Commodore VZ
22.  Anthony Tratt       Holden Commodore VY
23.  Brad Jones          Ford Falcon BA
24.  Matthew White       Ford Falcon BA
25.  Andrew Jones        Holden Commodore VZ
26.  Garth Tander        Holden Commodore VZ
27.  Steve Owen          Ford Falcon BA
DNF  Paul Morris         Holden Commodore VZ
DNF  Simon Wills         Holden Commodore VZ
DNF  Jamie Whincup       Holden Commodore VZ
DNF  Todd Kelly          Holden Commodore VZ
DNF  Mark Winterbottom   Ford Falcon BA
DNF  Craig Baird         Ford Falcon BA

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