Red Bull Ampol Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen has atoned for yesterday’s disqualification by chasing down Optus Mobil 1 Racing’s Chaz Mostert to take Race 2 victory in Newcastle.
Van Gisbergen was quickest in the final stint as he chased down Mostert for the lead during the closing stages and succeeded in passing the Walkinshaw Andretti United Mustang, although there was minor contact.
Completing a clean-sweep of the standings for Mustang was Penrite Racing’s David Reynolds, but Mostert holds a 45-point advantage heading to the Rolex Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix starting on March 30.
It came after Monster Energy Racing’s Cameron Waters made a mistake while battling Mostert during the mid-stage of the race when he clipped the inside wall at Turn 9 causing damage to the Mustang’s steering arm.
It was Mostert leading polesitter Reynolds into Turn 1 at the start, but the race was red flagged following a tangle between Declan Fraser and Macauley Jones sent the TRADIE Mustang into the pit wall. The resultant impact pushed the wall back requiring repairs.
A 20-minute stoppage followed before the race was restarted as Mostert built a margin back to Reynolds as he dropped Waters further behind.
Van Gisbergen meanwhile was stuck behind Golding, but this didn’t remain as the reigning champion slid through at Turn 8 in an impressive pass.
Mostert and Waters battled during the middle stint until a mistake for the latter required repairs during his pit stop, while Reynolds dropped behind Feeney to fourth, though this was rectified in rapid time.
Van Gisbergen continued to make progress and began his charge for the lead during the second stint as he ran his usual longer stint.
A good qualifying position and strong race pace ensured Todd Hazelwood was cemented in the top 10 for the Blanchard Racing Team, but a tangle with Castrol Racing’s Thomas Randle dropped him back.
The final stint was all van Gisbergen as he made lightwork of Mostert’s lead and muscled his way through at Turn 9, with just a handful of laps to go for a time certain finish.
Behind the top three, Golding converted qualifying pace into a result for fourth ahead of Feeney, Coca-Cola Racing by Erebus driver Brodie Kostecki, the R&J Batteries Camaro of Andre Heimgartner, Jack Le Brocq for Truck Assist Racing, Tim Slade in the second Nulon Racing Chevrolet and Mark Winterbottom for DEWALT Racing.
The next round of the Repco Supercars Championship is at the Rolex Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix on March 30-April 2.