After a three-month hiatus, Ford’s Anton De Pasquale made a perfect Supercars return by winning the inaugural race of the Sydney SuperNight event on Saturday.
The Shell V-Power Racing star, who has dominated the entire event so far, led from pole position to the finish line at Sydney Motorsport Park as the Supercars Championship resumed after a 104-day COVID break.
De Pasquale crossed the finish line in the 32-lap race under light with over five seconds ahead of championship leader Shane Van Gisbergen.
It’s the 26-year-old’s second race win of the year after winning at Tailem Bend, South Australia in May.
Erebus driver Brodie Kostecki belatedly secured third place and overtook Holden’s Nick Percat in the final laps for his second podium of the season.
In a race with few incidents, De Pasquale held a first lap challenge from Erebus youngster Will Brown to sprint off the field and was not led despite Van Gisbergen’s advancement by the pursuers.
Brown, who started a Supercars race on the front row for the first time in his career, finished fifth.
The 23-year-old could have achieved an even better result, but a small mistake during his mandatory pit stop when his crew changed tires cost him valuable seconds.
Van Gisbergen’s next challenger in the championship, Red Bull Ampol Racing team-mate Jamie Whincup, was only able to take ninth place.
These results mean Van Gisbergen’s lead was increased to 312 points before the event closes on Sunday with two 32-lap races – the first of four consecutive race weekends in west Sydney.
Ford star Cameron Waters, the winner of the last Supercars race on the streets of Townsville in July, finished a disappointing 13th place and has fallen behind Chaz Mostert and Will Davison in the championship standings.
Australian Associated Press
