David Russell took the chequered flag, but it was Warren Luff who was awarded the race win in the second Carrera Cup race at Mt Panorama.
The result has championship implications with Luff now heading Steven Richards by 21 points. Prior to the race his lead was just three points.
Richards was in the lead going down through Forrests Elbow on the final lap when backmarker Maurie Pickering didn’t see Richards, David Russell or Luff coming through. Richards was badly baulked by Pickering, which allowed Russell to get a great run onto Conrod Straight and into the Chase.
Both cars went deep into the braking area and Russell made contact with the rear of Richards’ car and he spun. Two corners later the chequered flag was waved with Russell ahead of Luff, with Richards back in fifth.
However, post race Russell was given a time penalty which placed him back in fifth, with Richards given fourth place.
“I just tried to keep my nose clean today after the weekend that I’ve had and I was happy to have a clean race and stay out of trouble,” said Luff.
“Obviously we caught a lapped car at Forrest Elbow on the last lap, then I saw Russell get within striking distance of Richards. From behind it looked like he might have got into the back of Richards, then Richards went firing off. Obviously for Richards it’s disappointing but, for us from a championship standpoint, we have to grab every point we can get. You don’t want those situations happening; you still want to beat each other fair and square on the track.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully finish the weekend on a high.”
At the same time on the other side of the circuit a three-car accident at Castrol Griffins Bend involving James Bergmuller, Ash Samadi and Scott Taylor brought even more drama to the end of the race.
In comparison it was a straightforward race for Shane Smollen who finished first in Elite.
The final race of the Carrera Cup will be the curtain raiser to the Bathurst 1000 tomorrow morning at 0850.
VIDEO: Interviews after Race 2 of the Carrera Cup
Race 2
Pos | No. | Sponsor | Driver |
1 | 7 | No Second Chance/Phase 8 | Warren Luff (QLD) |
2 | 29 | Onsite Rental Racing | Michael Patrizi (SA) |
3 | 777 | Bob Jane T-Marts | Nick Foster (VIC) |
4 | 12 | Laser Plumbing & Electrical | Steven Richards (VIC) |
5 | 23 | JBS Australia | David Russell (QLD) |
6 | 88 | Davbridge Constructions | Shae Davies (QLD) |
7 | 77 | Bob Jane T-Marts | Nick McBride (VIC) |
8 | 26 | Copyworld | Michael Almond (SA) |
9 | 27 | Childhood Cancer Association | Sam Power (SA) |
10 | 45 | VIP Petfoods | Duvashen Padayachee (NSW) |
11 | 1 | Bonaire / Wilson Security | Craig Baird (VIC) |
12 | 56 | McGrath Estate Agents | Shane Smollen (NSW) |
13 | 4 | Grove Group | Stephen Grove (VIC) |
14 | 5 | Objective Racing | Tony Walls (QLD) |
15 | 22 | Phenix Motorsport | Brenton Ramsay (SA) |
16 | 55 | Fujitsu Racing | Renee Gracie (QLD) |
17 | 24 | Alternative Freight Services / | Tony Bates (VIC) |
18 | 39 | Veritas | Adrian Mastronardo (NSW) |
19 | 10 | Finance EZI/Foxtel | Maurice Pickering (QLD) |
DNF | 13 | Porsche Centre Brighton | James Bergmuller (VIC) |
DNF | 11 | Royal Purple Oil / Garth Walde | Ash Samadi (NSW) |
DNF | 222 | Scott Taylor Motorsport | Scott Taylor (QLD) |
DNF | 9 | Hallmarc | Marc Cini (VIC) |