A late show by Shane Van Gisbergen has enabled the Holden star to pip Supercars rival Scott McLaughlin on the timesheets in Friday practice on the Gold Coast.
The Red Bull Holden Racing Team ace clocked a one minute and 10.0763 seconds fastest lap on the Surfers Paradise street circuit after the checkered flag had been waved.
That time was enough to sneak past McLaughlin, who had been leading the way with a 1:10.2218 but had to settle for second fastest on the day.
Both drivers head into this weekend’s Gold Coast 600 separated by a mere 19 points on the championship standings with 2016 champion Van Gisbergen leading the way.
McLaughlin’s teammate Fabian Coulthard (1:10.4199) was third-quickest with defending champion Jamie Whincup fourth-fastest (01:10.4788).
Bathurst champion Craig Lowndes (01:10.6396) also showed good pace to post the fifth-fastest lap.
It was a different story for Ford driver Will Davison, whose weekend got off to a disappointing start.
The two-time Bathurst champion crashed his Milwaukee Racing entry into a wall at the exit of turn two early in the final session after a steering failure leaving his garage with a big night ahead of Saturday’s 300km race.
“I lost all steering … hopefully the car’s repairable,” Davison told Fox Sports.
The Gold Coast 600 continues on Saturday with qualifying and a top 10 shootout before the race gets underway at 2.25pm AEST.