It was a sweet victory for Courtney in his “home town” taking the chequered flag from GRM’s Michael Caruso and FPR’s Mark Winterbottom with all three boys racing karts together in NSW from the young age of seven.

 

Courtney was second fastest behind GRM’s Lee Holdsworth in the early morning qualifying session today. After a strong start off the grid, Courtney took the challenge up to Holdsworth and a top order battle began what was a tough day of racing in the 250 km final race of the season.The lead changed a number of times in the first half of the race until Holdsworth again came unstuck around the tight street circuit ending what was shaping to be a great weekend for his team.

 

But the battle was far from over when Jason Bright jumped into the battle pack for the lead eventually taking Courtney on a re-start thanks to a safety car. Courtney and Bright settled into a tight contest until Bright was black flagged for a pit lane infringement giving Courtney space and clean air out in front.

 

Courtney settled into a strong race rhythm maintaining the lead and crossed the finish line for his second race win of the 2009 Season.

 

“Today was a lot easier race being out in front with a clear track and clean air.” said Courtney who battled with a mystery virus during yesterdays race that saw him at the Medical Centre post race being treated for exhaustion.

 

“It was still a tough race as you had to keep on paying attention with a lot of action going on around the circuit, but it was a credit to the team at Jim Beam Racing as they again found the right set up. This has been one of the best events this year, and credit goes to V8 Supercars Australia, V8 Supercar Events, the NSW Government and the fans for getting behind it and making it a great success. I can’t wait to come back next year.”

 

Courtney’s Team Mate Steven Johnson had a tough qualifying session this morning and one that he would probably like to do over again. Starting from P24 Johnson had another good start and stayed out of the carnage throughout the race that was going on around him. Johnson had consistent pace around the Homebush circuit and was really the quiet achiever of the field making up a massive 14 places to finish 10^th for Race 26.

 

“It’s been a mixed weekend with a DNF yesterday and then 10^th today. Overall it has been a good year for me personally finishing 6^th in the Championship, and for the Team finishing 3^rd in the Teams Championship.” said Johnson.

 

“Next year will hopefully be an even better year and the team is looking in good shape with both James and I finishing in 6^th and 7^th this position this year.”

 

It was also the final round of the Fujitsu Championship Series with Grant Denyer finishing 3^rd in both DVS Races at Homebush and taking 4^th place in the Drivers Championship for 2009.

 

 

1.Jamie Whincup            3349

2.Will Davison                3044

3.Garth Tander               2916

4.Craig Lowndes            2592

5.Mark Winterbottom     2414

6.Steven Johnson       2255

7.James Courtney       2192

 

1.Toll HSV                   5650

2.Team Vodafone        5573

3.Jim Beam Racing    4357