Super2 Regular Cleary Gets Trans Am Call-Up for Queensland

Super2 regular Elliott Cleary has received a last-minute call-up to race in Trans Am this weekend at Queensland Raceway. He replaces 2024 Touring Car Masters champion Adam Garwood, who is unavailable due to business commitments.

For Cleary, this marks an emotional comeback. His last race was in Darwin last year, where he was involved in a terrifying fire inside his Garry Rogers Motorsport Ford Mustang, suffering minor burns. Now he is ready to return to the track with renewed spirit.

Cleary's presence adds to a growing list of drivers competing in Trans Am this weekend. Six drivers who raced in TA2 last week—including Alice Buckley and Nash Morris—will also return to Trans Am, bringing valuable experience. They are joined by Tyler Cheney, Des Collier, Brock Paine, and Coleby Cowham, who will pilot the only Dodge Challenger in the field.

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Meanwhile, reigning TA2 champion Jarrod Hughes arrives at his home round as championship leader after taking the points lead last time out in Perth and securing his first Trans Am race win. He holds a slim eight-point advantage over Nathan Herne, with Todd Hazelwood third, 36 points behind Hughes.

Supercars team owner Tim Blanchard also enters the weekend with momentum after a strong performance in Perth, coming away with a round podium after post-race penalties were applied to James Moffat. V8 SuperUtes regular Cody Brewczynski also returns after missing a round following a heavy crash in Darwin.

Trans Am will race three times across the weekend, with races on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Practice and qualifying take place on Friday morning, followed by the first race in the afternoon. Races two and three are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

With a mix of young talents, veterans, and several names returning from injury, the Queensland Raceway round promises intense competition at every corner. All eyes will be on Cleary as he looks to prove himself after last year's dramatic incident.