Brother and team-mate Todd Kelly qualified in 20th position and also made a great start to today's race, running close behind Rick Kelly until he was hit hard from behind by part-time V8 driver Paul Morris on the second lap of the race at the Corkscrew section.
Kelly was spun around and persevered throughout the race with a damaged #7 Jack Daniel's Holden Commodore, losing further time when a steering arm broke late in the race.
Kelly, furious over the Morris incident, was classified in 25th position. Morris was served with a drive through penalty for the incident, which also ruined the chances of fellow Holden driver Garth Tander.
Jamie Whincup won today's race ahead of Craig Lowndes and Mark Winterbottom.
JACK DANIEL'S RACING QUOTEBOARD
Rick Kelly - #15 Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodore:
"We got off the grid really well from starting 16th," said Rick Kelly.
"I got to 10th and had a good run through the first couple of corners.
"We settled down really well. The car has got some really, really good traits. It gets on the power really well, we just can't get through the corner and that's something for us we know how to fix and it's easy to fix. I guess we should be quite excited about that.
"When we put new tyres on we actually went slower. For us the car is awesome because we have a lot of positive things leading into tomorrow. We have an awesome tyre bank leading into tomorrow as well.
"I'm pretty excited about it. Leading into qualifying I still didn't know the track or I wasn't driving it right. I learned a lot in the races in terms of where to position the car. Hopefully I learned more than everyone else out there.
"Tomorrow I'll be disappointed not to be well and truly in the top 10 and we need to aim for a top five and from today's results that is doable."
Todd Kelly - #7 Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodore:
Referring to Paul Morris ...
"Never in my life have I come across such a peanut of a bloke," said Todd Kelly.
"He's renowned for it and he ought to be congratulated for having a racing license as long as he has because he's a first-class fruit bat.
"He's ruined our race right from the start.
"Now we need to come out and get some points tomorrow to make up for it."
RESULTS: Race One (Series Race 1)
1. #1 Jamie Whincup 43 laps
2. #888 Craig Lowndes
3. #5 Mark Winterbottom
4. #18 James Courtney
5. #33 Lee Holdsworth
6. #9 Shane Van Gisbergen
7. #55 Paul Dumbrell
8. #19 Jonathon Webb
9. #4 Alex Davison
10. #15 Rick Kelly
25. #7 Todd Kelly 40 laps
RESULTS: Top 10 Shootout
1. #1 Jamie Whincup 1:58.1140
2. #2 Garth Tander 1:58.3550
3. #5 Mark Winterbottom 1:58.6620
4. #18 James Courtney 1:58.6790
5. #22 Will Davison1:58.8540
6. #14 Jason Bright 1:58.9000
7. #33 Lee Holdsworth 1:59.3560
8. #4 Alex Davison 1:59.4180
9. #9 Shane van Gisbergen 1:59.5250
10. #888 Craig Lowndes 2:09.2870
RESULTS: Qualifying
1. #1 Jamie Whincup 1:58.2040
2. #2 Garth Tander 1:58.3220
3. #9 Shane Van Gisbergen 1:58.4050
4. #888 Craig Lowndes 1:58.4990
5. #5 Mark Winterbottom 1:58.5210
6. #22 Will Davison 1:58.7090
7. #18 James Courtney 1:58.8970
8. #4 Alex Davison 1:58.9790
9. #33 Lee Holdsworth 1:59.0500
10. #14 Jason Bright 1:59.1130
16. #15 Rick Kelly 1:59.4270
20. #7 Todd Kelly 2:00.0730
YAS V8 400 DETAILS:
Circuit: Yas Marina Circuit
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Circuit Length: 4.7 kilometres
Format: 200km race Saturday and Sunday
2010 is debut event for Abu Dhabi
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
All times are local UAE Times (GMT + 4 hours)
Thursday 18 February 2010
2:20pm - 3:00pm: Practice 1 (Rookies & Lower 50%)
3:20pm - 4:00pm: Practice 2 (Rookies & Lower 50%)
4:20pm - 5:00pm: Practice 3
5:20pm - 6:00pm: Practice 4
Friday 19 February 2010
2:10pm - 3:00pm: Qualifying
3:00pm: Top 10 Shootout
6:05pm: Race 1 (Series Race 1) - 43 laps
Saturday 20 February 2010
3:10pm - 3:30pm: Qualifying (for Race 2)
6:05pm: Race 2 (Series Race 2) - 43 laps
TELEVISION SCHEDULE - SEVEN NETWORK
Times subject to amendment - please check local guides
Saturday 20 February 2010
12:30pm - 4:30pm AEDST (V8 Supercars Race 1)
Sunday 21 February 2010
1:30pm - 4:30pm AEDST (V8 Supercars Race 2)
