Sydney Motorsport Park. Under the lights Anton De Pasquale delivered a statement performance on Saturday night, holding off a charging Brodie Kostecki to win Race 2 of the Dunlop Sydney 500 in a dramatic finish in the young Supercars season.
Starting from pole position, the Team 18 driver controlled the majority of the 52-lap contest, but the closing stages turned into a high pressure showdown as strategy and tyre life brought the field back together.
De Pasquale’s #18 Chevrolet Camaro looked untouchable early, converting pole into track position and managing the race from the front. The Team 18 machine showed strong pace through the middle phase, building what looked like a comfortable margin. But Supercars rarely stays predictable.
A late strategy call from Dick Johnson Racing brought Brodie Kostecki back into contention. By extending his stint, Kostecki emerged with fresher tyres and rapidly closed the gap in the final laps turning what seemed like a routine win into a flat out sprint to the flag.
De Pasquale kept his composure, crossing the line just 0.3627 seconds ahead. after one of the tightest finishes seen at Sydney Motorsport Park in recent seasons.
The victory was more than just another race win — it marked a milestone moment for Team 18. The result represented the team’s second-ever Supercars victory and their first since taking on the role as Chevrolet’s homologation team.
For De Pasquale, it was also a personal breakthrough:
- 10th career Supercars win
- Sixth victory at Sydney Motorsport Park
- First time leading the championship standings
Speaking after the race, De Pasquale described the win as one that “felt different,” highlighting the effort required to build the program with his new team.
The race turned frantic when Andre Heimgartner’s Toyota suffered an engine failure, triggering a safety car that reshaped the strategy battle.
Pit lane quickly became the danger zone:
- Double-stacking created congestion and contact
- Jayden Ojeda lost a wheel during a stop
- Triple Eight endured penalties for both Will Brown and Broc Feeney after pit-lane incidents
Those setbacks dropped key contenders down the order and opened the door for others to capitalise a reminder that race wins are often decided away from the spotlight on track.
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