mmg.com.au

Brad Jones Racing’s Jason Bright spoke with the Ensign on Friday, minutes before hitting the track for a practice run.

Qualifying behind TeamVodafone and FPR on both days at Winton on the weekend was a highlight for Bright, who finished sixth on Sunday flying the BOC colours.

Both teams have dominated the V8 Supercar Championship this season, with Jamie Whincup wrapping up the title battle on Sunday.

With the team based in Albury, and Winton its training track, Bright said it was good to be racing close to home again.

‘‘I enjoy driving in the smaller teams and in the country,’’ he said.

‘‘The atmosphere’s great.’’

The new dad was hoping to go well on the weekend with his partner Lucy bringing three-week-old Lennox to his first race meet. He didn’t disappoint.

This is Bright’s 14th season as a full-time driver in the V8 Supercar Championship — the last three with Brad Jones Racing.

With Bathurst widely considered to be the drivers’ favourite circuit, the Ensign asked Bright what his second favourite track in the Supercar series was.

‘‘Phillip Island, but Winton’s been my most successful track,’’ he said.

When asked about the 2013 season changes introducing Nissan — returning after a 20-year absence — and Mercedes to the Supercar fold, Bright said it was a good thing.

‘‘It levels the playing field — and hopefully brings the fans back that we lost when Nissan left,’’ he said.

‘‘There are a lot of fans we don’t connect with at the moment.’’