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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