2023-04-29 19:25:00
Van Gisbergen was last of the leaders to pit in the 42-lapper, and taking the extra time gave him newer tyres which proved the difference as he managed to push past race leader and local hope Kostecki on the penultimate lap.
It came after a ding-dong battle between the two Chevrolet drivers, which included plenty of contact.
Such was the intensity, that Kostecki was slapped with a bad sportsmanship flag for blocking as he kept van Gisbergen's #97 Red Bull Camaro at bay.
After Kostecki took the lead from the start line after beating the pole sitter off the mark, it took a robust move at Turn 6 for van Gisbergen to get the job done late in the race, with the Kiwi sailing away to career victory No. 78.
Penrite Racing's David Reynolds completed the podium ahead of a charging Todd Hazelwood, who was an impressive fourth in his CoolDrive Ford.
James Courtney (#5 Snowy River Caravans Mustang) claiming fifth.
Rounding out the top 10 were kiwi rookie Matt Payne (#19 Penrite Mustang), Tim Slade (#23 Nulon Camaro), Will Davison (#17 Shell V-Power Mustang), Thomas Randle (#55 Castrol Mustang), and Broc Feeney (#88 Red Bull Ampol Camaro).
Kostecki continues to lead the drivers' championship, now holding a 76-point buffer over the best of the Ford drivers, Chaz Mostert (#25 Mobil 1 Optus Mustang), who finished 11th today.
Van Gisbergen is two points further back in third spot.
Kostecki's Coca-Cola Erebus crew continues to lead the teams' championship, now 79-points ahead of the Red Bull duo of van Gisbergen and Feeney.
Tomorrow teams will be on track at 9:15am for back to back qualifying sessions that will determine the starting grid for Sunday's two races.
All sessions are exclusively live on Foxtel and Kayo, with highlights from today on the Seven network this evening, check local guides for details.
The tension is high at Mount Panorama as today’s qualifying session will decide who earns a coveted spot in tomorrow’s fan-favourite Boost Mobile Top Ten Shootout.
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