Kelly name returns to Supercars

Kelly Racing will return to top-level motorsport in Australia at the upcoming Super3 race in Newcastle.

Mason Kelly, son of Todd, will make his Supercars debut driving the same Nissan Altima his father raced in his final event, fittingly at Newcastle in 2017. The younger Kelly has been following in his dad’s wheel tracks, competing in karting before stepping up to Hyundai Excel racing and other state-level competition. 

It marks a return to the Supercars paddock for Todd, who hasn’t been involved since stepping away from his team principal role in 2021. 

“I wasn’t expecting to get back into Supercars so quickly. It was a short lived retirement from pit lane, but I definitely have a good reason for it,” Todd said.

“Mason has progressed well in his racing. He really impressed us with his level headed attitude all the way through his racing so far.

“We have everything we need to give Mason a good shot at it. The infrastructure from the old Kelly Racing is all there to run a Super3 team, and with the help of some good friends, we are just going to get him out there and see how we go. 

“Personally, it’s very exciting. My little guy is making his Supercars debut. I remember making my Supercars debut. It’s a big moment, and we know that he is ready for this next step.”

Mason Kelly will race the same Nissan Altima his father drove in his final Supercars start.

While only 18-years-old, Mason has already conducted multiple test days in his dad’s hand-me-down Supercar and feels ready for the challenge of the higher-profile series on the Supercars support bill.

“I’m really looking forward to it, but I’m not going into Newcastle with any expectations,” Mason said. “My focus is to finish all the sessions, improve as the weekend goes along and bring the car back with no damage.

He added: “It’s weird how it worked out – same car and same event as dad’s last Supercars race. I was there for that race and I’m glad he is going to be looking over my shoulder for my first race.

Todd and brother Rick ran Kelly Racing as a Supercars outfit from 2009 - initially with the help of their parents John and Margaret - after the pair left Holden’s factory-backed Walkinshaw Racing program. They eventually sold to father-son Stephen and Brenton Grove in 2021 and the team was rebranded Kelly Grove Racing before evolving into Grove Racing, when Rick and Todd both stepped back from the team.