V8 Supercar brothers Todd and Rick Kelly have unveiled their new Jack Daniel’s Holden Commodores the new Kelly Racing headquarters in the Melbourne suburb of Braeside.

Todd Kelly will drive the #7 Jack Daniel’s Commodore while brother Rick will have the familiar #15 on the side of his Jack Daniel’s Holden. Both cars will make their race debuts at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide on March 19-22.

A common team and naming rights sponsor means that the Kelly brothers will not only have a major presence on track all season, but will also combine to form one of the strongest driver pairings for the annual endurance events at Phillip Island and Bathurst.

Rick Kelly, who won the V8 Supercar Championship in 2006, believes that 2009 will be a “new beginning” for everyone involved with Kelly Racing.

“The support we have had from Jack Daniel’s as we have gone through the tough months of establishing our own team has been incredible,” said Rick.

“This is obviously an exciting year for our entire family because we have the responsibility of our own team, Todd and I get to race together as team-mates in V8 Supercar and we have all that to share with Jack Daniel’s and everyone associated with the brand.

“Todd and I will be racing each other as hard as ever, but from now on I guess we will be a little happier if the other one manages a big result.”

The partnering of Todd Kelly and Rick Kelly in 2009 provides the opportunity to further reinforce the ‘Pace Yourself. Drink Responsibility’ message, which is the core element of the Jack Daniel’s Racing Platform said Jack Daniel’s Australia Managing Director, Michael McShane.

“The ability to have high profile sportsmen Todd and Rick Kelly, to assist in promoting the importance of drinking responsibly is critically important and we are thrilled to be able to reinforce this message thorough our association with Kelly Racing,” said McShane.

“Starting their own operation is a major step for the Kelly brothers, but we applaud their passion and commitment to the sport and believe they will both be great ambassadors for the Jack Daniel’s brand.

“If the work ethic they have displayed over the last couple of months in structuring this team is any indication, I think we can expect some solid results.”

The two-car Jack Daniel’s team will be half of a four-car assault being fielded by Kelly Racing in 2009. Jack Perkins in a car sponsored by telecomuncations group Dodo and young Victorian driver Dale Wood will drive the team’s remaining two Holden entries.

Source: Kelly Brothers Racing PR