Red Bull Ampol Racing Team’s Shane van Gisbergen scored his 12th win of the season after a long first stint set-up his latest victory at The Bend Motorsport Park.
Although Wildcard Zak Best started from pole in his Tickford Racing Ford Mustang and led for the opening 10 laps, but it was van Gisbergen taking his opportunity to pass once title rival Cameron Waters pitted where the race was won.
Trying the undercut strategy, Waters came out in an immediate battle with Shell V-Power Racing Team’s Anton De Pasquale before a lock up at Turn 1 later hampered his race into fourth place.
Finishing third was Chaz Mostert in the lead Walkinshaw Andretti United Commodore, while Wildcard Best finished an impressive fifth.
Best and van Gisbergen each made an equal start off the front row, but it was Mostert on one side in addition to Waters on the other making the best start from the second line on the grid. Both were unable to take advantage, although Waters did move passed van Gisbergen during the next complex of corners.
Davison was first to pit on lap five after a disappointing qualifying session resulting in sixth, but the undercut worked as he steadily made ground throughout the race, crucially with Waters coming out behind him.
Van Gisbergen didn’t pit until on lap 20 of 24 and was never headed from there as he secured the fastest lap bonus points to take a full score from the opening race.
Behind Best, Brodie Kostecki, Broc Feeney and David Reynolds engaged in a close battle to finish in that order, while Anton De Pasquale was ninth as Andre Heimgartner climbed inside the 10.
Repco Supercars Championship action continues at 10:05am AEST (9:35am local time) with qualifying for Race 22.