The most open V8 Supercars season for several years continues to surprise with Ford’s David Reynolds joining the list of first-time race winners and just six points separating the championship’s top two.
Reynolds, last year’s Bathurst runner-up, claimed the first victory of his V8s career at Sunday’s final race of the Gold Coast 600 to become the fifth driver to earn a maiden win in 2013.
The Ford rising star made the most of a late steering failure from Holden’s James Courtney to snatch the win in the 300km race at the Surfers Paradise street circuit.
Reynolds came in ahead of another first-time race winner in 2013 in Holden’s Fabian Coulthard, with veteran Russell Ingall turning back the clock to finish third.
“Soon as I crossed the line, sigh of relief, I won a race, cool,” Reynolds said.
“If he (Courtney) didn’t make that mistake, I don’t think I would’ve caught him.
“I had a great day, pole position and race win – my first one – can’t complain.”
Sunday’s race means with just two events left in the season only 121 points – less than a race win – cover the championship’s top four.
Holden’s Craig Lowndes is ahead by just six points from teammate Jamie Whincup after the defending champion bounced back from Saturday’s failure to finish with a fourth place on Sunday.
Ford pair Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison lie just behind the leading duo on the standings, 88 and 121 points off the lead respectively.
Lowndes, who backed up his Saturday race win by finishing eighth on Sunday, admitted there was little room for error at the top going into next month’s penultimate event at Phillip Island.
“It’s not over yet,” the 39-year-old said.
“There’s no doubt Jamie will fight as well as FPR (Ford Performance Racing).
“You’ve just got to be on your A-game from now until Phillip Island and Homebush … I’m really looking forward to it.”