Current Repco Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen has won the opening race of the 2022 season after a three-stop strategy paid off in the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight opener.
“It was a pretty awesome night,” commented van Gisbergen. “Qualifying was about where we expected to be because there was not many changes since the last time we were here. I felt like a good qualifying lap for us was still two-tenths off, and in the race it was the same as last time we were in Sydney as well.”
Finishing second behind van Gisbergen was Anton De Pasquale who started from pole position.
“Today was a good day for us, the conditions were more predictable than yesterday, with less wet patches across the track. It was great to get the first pole position of the year and start the 300km race from P1.”
De Pasquale won the start and led van Gisbergen, who ultimately won on strategy.
“I thought our strategy was originally a two-stop, so I was surprised we came into the pits that early,” said van Gisbergen. “I knew a three-pit strategy was an option, but I didn’t know it was going to be that much different. It was awesome for Andrew (Edwards, #97 race engineer) to get his first win too.
“After the race he was angry and said he didn’t do a good job, and I had to remind him that we won by 20-seconds. He’s been very self-critical, so this is a good reward for him. It was awesome to have Tony (Quinn, Triple Eight Race Engineering team owner) on the podium to accept the team’s trophy as well. Even though the team has had a lot of changes over the break, we’re all working well, everyone’s doing their job and it’s a cool environment to be a part of.”
Third home was Chaz Mostert followed by Will Davison and Brodie Kostecki.
Drivers will return to the track for ARMOR ALL Qualifying on Sunday morning followed by one more 77 lap-race in the afternoon to complete the opening round of the 2022 season.
Results Race 1
1/ Shane van Gisbergen
2/ Anton de Pasquale
3/ Chaz Mostert
4/ Will Davison
5/ Brodie Kostecki
6/ Nick Percat
7/ Will Brown
8/ Tim Slade
9/ Broc Feeney
10/ James Courtney
11/ Cam Waters
12/ Bryce Fullwood
13/ Jack Le Brocq
14/ Todd Hazelwood
15/ Andre Heimgartner
16/ Mark Winterbottom
17/ Jack Smith
18/ Garry Jacobson
19/ Jake Kostecki
20/ Thomas Randle
21/ Lee Holdsworth
22/ Macauley Jones
23/ Chris Pither
24/ David Reynolds
25/ Scott Pye
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