Wildcard entry Zak Best has shockingly qualified on pole for this evenings Race 21 in his Tickford Racing Mustang. Best was impressive throughout the mornings practice sessions, and kept improving throughout the day to pip Shane Van Gisbergen by .02s.
In only his second-ever solo start in Supercars, Best became the 68th ever pole-sitter in the series history. Last time competing saw him finish in 21st in the first two races at Hidden Valley before retiring in the third after a collision with Gary Jacobson. He also drove at Bathurst last year, finishing 15th as co-driver for Jack Le Brocq.
Very few expected Best to qualify on pole, including the driver himself, as post-session comments suggested. The car is currently even without livery. It can be assumed that todays effort will soon change that.
Super2 is the current home for the 20-year-old Victorian, where he currently sits fifth in the standings.
Keeping the wildcard company on the front row will be Van Gisbergen, with Cameron Waters and Chaz Mostert on the row behind. The Shell V-Power duo of Anton de Pasquale and Will Davison lock out the third row.
Van Gisbergen will have his teammate nearby, with Broc Feeney qualifying seventh alongside David Reynolds. Nick Percat and Will Brown round out the top 10.
The story of the day, however, belongs to Best, who starts from the prime position with a chance to go on to claim shock honours in this evenings event. With such familiar talent surrounding him, a massive effort will be required if such a thing were to happen.
Of the other Kiwi’s in action, Andre Heimgartner failed to qualify for the final session of qualifying and will start in 14th. Chris Pither was eliminated in the first stages, and will start in 22nd.
Racing begins at 6.45pm, covering 24 laps of Tailem Bend.