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Perfect weekend complete as Nathan Herne takes the Turtle Wax Trans Am 100
The Valvoline Team GRM Ford Mustang of Nathan Herne completed a clean-sweep of proceedings by winning the Turtle Wax Trans Am 100.
Herne dominated proceedings as All American Driveline driver Ben Grice and Supercheap Auto’s Nash Morris completed the podium after contact at Forrest’s Elbow on the last lap between Garry Rogers Motorsport driver Owen Kelly and
Brett Holdsworth’s TPS Group Chevrolet Camaro demoted both.
Herne led away as Holdsworth attempted to challenge on the outside, but was denied leaving Kelly an opportunity to move into second around the outside of Griffins Bend, but the positions remained the same.
Grice was recovering from his practice incident and was inside the top five as he attacked the two Garry Rogers Motorsport entries of Kelly and Lochie Dalton. The trio were battling hard down Conrod Straight, but Dalton entered
The Chase too hot and became stuck in the gravel trap leading to a safety car period.
It was only a short interruption as Herne led the way and quickly build a gap to Holdsworth, who had Kelly, Grice and Morris in close company.
Further in the pack, Aaron Tebb in the Waltec Motorsport Chevrolet Camaro was up 11 positions, while Jack Sipp was now eight spots to the better.
Grice was continuing to put pressure on Kelly, who in turn was doing likewise to Holdsworth in the battle for second.
Replicating his strong performances this weekend, James Simpson in the Seven82 Motors Dodge Challenger was holding out the similar Franklin Road Apparel Racing entry of American Robert Noaker.
In a chaotic final lap, Noaker lost power and entered pit lane, however the battle for second was not over by a long stretch.
Kelly and Grice remained in the shadows of Holdsworth during the final lap, but it all came to ahead at Forrest’s Elbow. Kelly attempted an inside move on Holdsworth, but contact was made spinning the latter and a penalty was handed to the GRM driver.
As Herne completed a perfect weekend, Grice was second from Morris, Simpson, Kelly, Holdsworth, Tebb, Hugh McAlister in the McAlister Motors Ford Mustang, the SupaFSeries entry of Jack Sipp and John Holinger in his Chevrolet Camaro.
Turtle Wax Trans Am in 2023 will be bigger than ever and we thank everyone for their support of the category this season.