{"id":629586,"date":"2026-04-25T08:11:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T08:11:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/629586\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T08:11:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T08:11:23","slug":"supercars-veteran-steve-stretch-bell-talks-kelly-racing-grove-racing-evolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/629586\/","title":{"rendered":"Supercars veteran Steve ‘Stretch’ Bell talks Kelly Racing, Grove Racing evolution"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cI\u2019M like the Highlander, the last one.\u201d<\/p>\n

In seven words, Steve Bell both accurately described his status as the last link between the Kelly Racing and Grove Racing eras, and exuded the knockabout personality that makes him a popular member of the pitlane.<\/p>\n

The Taup\u014d native better known as \u2018Stretch\u2019 joined the Supercars paddock in 2012 via Kelly Racing and its Indigenous-focused Super2 offshoot Dreamtime Racing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did like six months before that folded and then TK (Todd Kelly) was like, you\u2019re on my car in main game,\u201d he told V8 Sleuth.<\/p>\n

It would be an understatement to say there\u2019s been a fair bit of change in the subsequent 14 years at \u2018team Braeside\u2019.<\/p>\n

That 2012 season was the final year of Supercars\u2019 Project Blueprint regulations, under which Kelly Racing ran Holden Commodores.<\/p>\n

Then came Car of the Future and seven seasons with the Nissan Altima.<\/p>\n

\"\"Steve \u2018Stretch\u2019 Bell got to set foot on the Darwin 2016 podium after Michael Caruso<\/a> took victory. Pic: an1images.com \/ Dirk Klynsmith<\/p>\n

Then a switch to Gen2 Mustangs for 2020.<\/p>\n

Then a year of Kelly\/Grove co-ownership in \u201921 before the Groves took full control for \u201922, and then the introduction of Gen3 in \u201923.<\/p>\n

There was turnover aplenty around the ownership transition but Bell stayed throughout, giving him a unique perspective on the contrast between two eras \u2013 particularly as the latter evolves into an out-and-out powerhouse.<\/p>\n

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The Undercut returns in a massive week of sport, with Aaron Noonan once again joined by Jack Perkins, breaking down the inaugural New Zealand double header!<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very different,\u201d said the man who operates on Matt Payne<\/a>\u2019s #19 Penrite Mustang as well as doing all sorts of bits and pieces back at base.<\/p>\n

\u201cKellys was extremely family orientated because you have got John and Marg, great people, very professional and awesome at what they do, TK and Rick still good mates now, still see them all the time. That was a lot more relaxed, back then.<\/p>\n

\u201cI actually got the end of my finger crushed off in an airjack accident so I moved into composites and I worked in there for a few years until I ended up running it.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut dealing with the outside pressures of Nissan and the engine project and the never-ending parity bullshit, it was a nightmare honestly. Each Christmas re-homologating the car, redoing its bodywork.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThen we went away from Nissan and moved into Fords. The Gen2 project was just sick, we did so much cool stuff in that time.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow it\u2019s super professional, which is hard for me I suppose, because I\u2019m just me and I find it hard to change for anyone if that makes sense.<\/p>\n

\"\"Pic: Ross Gibb<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Groves are very professional but still they always come to me because I just tell them honestly, I don\u2019t hold anything back, so I think they appreciate that.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s very professional with them. It\u2019s a business.\u201d<\/p>\n

That professionalism has underpinned Grove Racing\u2019s culture of success. It\u2019s now a genuine championship contender.<\/p>\n

Though there\u2019s still room for characters like Stretch, who seven days ago got on the Christchurch podium as the winning team representative \u2013 something he\u2019d previously done 10 years back when Michael Caruso won in Darwin.<\/p>\n

To do it on home soil was extra sweet this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially with Brenton (Grove) saying \u2018do whatever you want up there, I\u2019ll pay the bill\u2019,\u201d said Bell.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was like, treat yourself, enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no bill to pay, of course, because to the obvious amusement of his nearby colleagues Stretch insisted: \u201cI\u2019m very responsible.\u201d<\/p>\n

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