JOHNSON BEATS FISHER TO NEWCASTLE POLE

The Ford Mustang driver set his time late following a mid-session red flag pause, eclipsing early pacesetter Andrew Fisher by just 0.15 seconds to set up a Mustang-Torana front row for the first championship race on Saturday morning.

Fisher had set the pace early but Johnson’s final flyer bumped the Jesus Racing Torana to second, the latter unable to respond on his final lap.

Johnson’s pole was the first time he has qualified on the front row in Newcastle, while this marks the second front-row start in TCM for Fisher and the first time he’s ever qualified second.

Adam Bressington qualified third on his TCM return, just 0.5s behind the Torana at a circuit where he has finished third (2017) and second (2018) on the last two visits.

He’ll line up alongside John Bowe, who was fourth, while Ryan Hansford and Cameron Tilley make up the third row.

Marcus Zukanovic and Geoff Fane were next – the latter on his TCM return and debut driving for Whiteline Racing – while Peter Burnitt, John Adams, Tony Karanfilovski and Ford Escort driver Ian Price were next.

Karanfilovski was the reason for qualifying’s red flag stoppage, his Mustang pulling to a halt early in the session having only completed one lap.

The 12-lap TCM trophy race will see the field head into battle this afternoon at 3:15pm, broadcast live on Fox Sports 506 and Kayo.