ns The 2022 king of Supercars has marked Gen3’s 2023 debut within the sport with a blistering win as Shane van Gisbergen returned to the streets of Newcastle in emphatic style.
Final yr’s championship winner punched residence Chevrolet’s first Australian race win since 1982 after beginning in sixth earlier than delivering one other masterclass to cruise residence and open his 2023 account.
The Kiwi juggernaut, who’s top-ten shootout time had him 4 hundredths of a second off the entrance row, gained two spots off the beginning line into fourth and took the lead when pole-sitter Brodie Kostecki pitted on lap 31.
Van Gisbergen had beforehand handed teammate Broc Feeney and his faster cease proper after Kostecki saved him forward, opening up clear air in entrance and an opportunity to develop his margin.
That is precisely what the two-time defending champion did.
Kostecki opted for his second obligatory cease on lap 56 in an try to realize floor, however for the second time discovered himself within the thick of automobiles re-entering the race and all-the-while van Gisbergen’s margin continued to develop.
The outdated one-two
On lap 65 van Gisbergen had one other seamless pitstop and loved the rest of the race forward of Feeney for a Crimson Bull one-two, Feeney’s fourth profession podium and van Gisbergen’s fifth season-opening win within the final seven years.
Their co-triumph marks a dominant run of type for Crimson Bull Ampol and Triple Eight Racing, who’ve now received seven of the final eight Supercars races and 13 of the final 16 stretching again to Townsville in July 2022.
Their impeccable season-opening type additionally stays intact with the Newcastle victory marking their 16th win from the previous 18 races to start the calendar yr.
For van Gisbergen, it’s his 76th profession victory and now joins group principal Jamie Whincup and Scott McLaughlin as the one drivers to win two Newcastle races within the occasion’s four-year historical past.
Pole-sitter Kostecki should wait one other spherical for that elusive maiden triumph, coming residence in P5.
Cam Waters rounded out the rostrum after passing Chaz Mostert late within the race.
It was not the fairytale 400th profession begin for Tim Slade, who began fourth however skilled a tire difficulty throughout his first pitstop that derailed his afternoon for a 24th positioned end.
Drivers shall be again in motion on Sunday with qualifying and a top-10 shootout to comply with earlier than the second and remaining 250km race.
SUPERCARS RACE 1
1. Shane van Gisbergen (Crimson Bull Ampol Racing)
2. Broc Feeney (Crimson Bull Ampol Racing)
3. Cam Waters (Monster Power Racing)
4. Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw Andretti United)
5. Brodie Kostecki (Erebus Motorsport)
