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Australian ace Owen Kelly will realise a boyhood dream when he makes his NASCAR Sprint Cup debut for Phoenix Racing at the famous Watkins Glen road course in New York State on Sunday, August, 11.
Kelly will become the eighth Australian to compete in the highest level of NASCAR competition and will join fellow Tasmanian and full-time Sprint Cup driver Marcos Ambrose on the grid in the Cheez-It 355.
Kelly fell into favouritism for the seat in the #51 entry after an impressive performance in Kyle Busch’s JGR #54 Monster Energy car in the Nationwide race at Road America last month where he qualified second and finished fourth, despite running out of fuel while challenging for the lead.
The week following the Watkins Glen race, Kelly will be back behind the wheel of Busch’s #54 Nationwide car at Mid Ohio – the Joe Gibbs Racing operation has provided its blessing for Kelly’s Sprint Cup debut with Phoenix Racing.
The Phoenix Racing opportunity developed after an internal meeting between well-known team owner James Finch, #51 Crew Chief, Nick Harrison and the team’s Australian engineer, Andrew Dickenson.
“The phrase ‘a dream come true’ is used a lot, but there is no other way to describe this,” said Kelly when the deal was confirmed with Phoenix Racing’s owner James Finch today.
“When you look at the numbers, NASCAR is the pinnacle of world motorsports and I am humbled that an organisation with the history and depth of Phoenix Racing has provided me with this opportunity.
“It has all come together very quickly, but I have to thank everyone who has been so supportive of me including James Finch, Nick Harrison, Andrew Dickenson and the Joe Gibbs Racing operation.
“I am proud to be one of a select few Australians to have been given a shot at NASCAR’s top level and I will be doing everything in my power to give Phoenix Racing the best possible result at Watkins Glen.”
Kelly is likely to travel to the US this week for a seat fitting and is hoping that he will get in a test before arriving at Watkins Glen.
While Phoenix Racing narrowed down possible candidates for the #51, it was Kelly’s name, which kept appearing as the number one choice, according to Harrison.
“James (Finch) came into the shop and we were throwing a few names around. Robby Gordon was a candidate and then Owen’s name was put up,” said Harrison
“To be honest Dale (Earnhardt) Jr, Marcos (Ambrose), AJ (Allmendinger) , anyone we spoke to was very supportive of Owen and what he could bring to our team.
“We are pumped to have him as part of our operation. Anyone who looks at his career and has watched him in his Nationwide qualifying and races knows he has got talent.
“We will be running the same car which Kurt Busch finished third in at Sonoma last year. We head up to Watkins Glen believing we can be very, very competitive.
“We had Jacques Villeneuve in our car at Sonoma this year and had Robby Gordon as an option, as I said, but we believe Owen is the best option for us.
“Because of his V8 Supercar experience and his Nationwide drives, Owen is used to the weight and power of these cars.”
Phoenix Racing is in the process of being sold, but Finch will maintain control of the team until mid September.
“There is no doubt that we think Owen can help us add to James’ trophy collection before the team changes hands,” said Harrison.
“James was very keen to approach Owen when his name was put forward and is excited about what we have put together for Watkins Glen.
“We have Hendrick Motorsport providing us engines and chassis and we think Owen can get us right up there for a top 10 or even a victory if everything falls our way.”
OWEN KELLY US – NASCAR CAREER
* 2008 - Moved to the US to head-up Dale Earnhardt Jr’s late model program in the Whelen All America Series – Winning the Mid-Atlantic 350.
* 2009 – Campaigned an entry for Earnhardt Jr in the UARA-Stars Championship before returning to Australia for the V8 Supercar endurance events.
* 2010 - had his first taste of NASCAR when he drove a Baker Curb entry to fifth place in a Nationwide race at Road America.
* 2011 - Hired to qualify the Nationwide entry of countryman Marcos Ambrose for Richard Petty Motorsport at Montreal, Canada – qualifying the entry in ninth, while Ambrose completed his Sprint Cup commitments at Michigan. Ambrose arrived in Montreal 20 minutes before the race, which he went on to win.
* 2012 – Hired by Kyle Busch to qualify his Monster Energy car at Montreal event while he completed his own commitment at Michigan. Qualified the car fifth and Busch was on target to take the win when a late-race puncture forced him to 10th.
* 2013 – Hired by Joe Gibbs Racing to drive the Monster Energy #54 car at Road America. Qualified the car second and ran in the top three for the majority of the race and led at one stage before running out of fuel. Dropped back to 34th and worked his way through the field to finish fourth.
* 2013 – Will drive the #51 Phoenix Motorsport entry in the Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen on Sunday, August 11
* 2013 – Will drive Kyle Busch’s #54 Monster Energy entry in the Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 at Mid Ohio on Saturday, August 17.
OWEN KELLY - STATS AND EARLY CAREER
Name: Owen Kelly
Born: Devonport, Tasmania
Lives: Melbourne, Victoria
Owen Kelly started his career in karts at the age of nine and has one of the most comprehensive careers of any Australian racer with experience in Formula Ford, Porsche Cup, 2-litre Super Tourers, New Zealand Super Tourers, Sprintcars and V8 Supercars in Australia.
His US experience includes Grand-Am, Late Models and NASCAR Nationwide.
Kelly, who has become one of Australia’s most respected drivers, has driven for Kelly Racing in the last three Bathurst 1000s, but has retreated from his endurance opportunities this year to concentrate on his US commitments.
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| Australian Owen Kelly will realise a NASCAR dream at Watkins Glen next month - please click image for hi-res version |
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| The #51 Phoenix Racing car that Tasmanian, Owen Kelly will drive on August 11 - please click image for hi-res version |
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| Owen Kelly will become the eighth Australian to start in NASCAR's premier division - click image for hi-res version |
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| Owen Kelly will drive the Hendrick Motorsports-built Phoenix Racing #51 - click for hi-res version |
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Owen Kelly seals road course NASCAR deal
Burdon’s car was heavily damaged during Friday practice
