Western Sydney Motorsport’s Cody Brewczynski has held off title rivals to bolster his championship charge following Race 2 of the Tyrepower V8 SuperUtes Series finale at Sandown Raceway today.
From the front row, Brewczynski (#18 Wanless/Custom Lithium Toyota Hilux) fended off several advances from new series leader David Sieders to claim victory by just 0.46sec.
It was a vital victory for Brewczynski after finishing a distant fifth in Race 1, with the importance further emphasised by the troubles experienced by two series rivals.
First to hit dramas was Race 1 winner Adam Marjoram (#1 Team Motion Racing Isuzu DMAX) when a high-speed tyre puncture occurred on the front straight during the closing stages.
Having entered the weekend and the day still in the series lead, Marjoram has now slipped to second in the standings, just three points behind Sieders, whilst Brewczynski has now closed his deficit to 18 points in third.
Marjoram’s teammate Aaron Borg (#100 Team Motion Racing Isuzu DMAX) was next to strike dramas when he stopped on the same section of track with gearbox issues to end his title hopes.
Marjoram was an early contender for the lead entering Turn 1, but locked up in avoidance of contact with Brewczynski. Towards the back, a collision resulted in Gavin Newman (#26 Pedders JKD Racing Mazda BT-50) spilling fluid through Turns 2 and 3, which the leaders found on lap 2.
Brewczynski led the field through as many cut the Turn 2 and 3 chicane, while others spun like Craig Woods (#64 Western Sydney Motorsport Toyota Hilux).
The chaos and drama continued for almost every lap, but miraculously, there were no safety car interruptions.
Sieders found a way past Marjoram, but Cameron Crick (#7 EFS 4×4 Accessories Mazda BT-50) found the going tough in demoting the reigning series winner.
Marjoram was holding onto third despite the continuing attacks of Crick in the middle of a train headed by Brewczynski and having sixth placed Jimmy Vernon (#50 Team Ultima Mitsubishi Triton) at the rear.
The retirement of Marjoram opened the door for Brewczynski and Sieders to build a gap, while Crick moved up to complete the podium ahead of Vernon as Rossi Johnson (#333 Sharebarge Holden Colorado) rounded out the top five.
Despite the spin early in the race, Woods recovered to sixth from Adrian Cottrell (#41 3D SiteWorx Racing Holden Colorado) and Brad Vereker (#96 JWL Racing Toyota Hilux).
Completing the top 10 were Jensen Engelhardt (#805 JWL Racing Toyota Hilux) and Jason Norris (#8 Auto Masters Racing Toyota Hilux).
Joining Borg in retirement were Newman after the opening lap collision, Michael Sherwell (#55 Nova Air and Electrical Mitsubishi Triton) with engine issues and Jayden Waznek (#90 Carryboy Racing Mitsubishi Triton) with a broken shock after being in contention for a top five early in the race.
The final two championship-deciding races will be held tomorrow Sunday 16 November, with the first scheduled for 10:45am AEDT and the season concluding event at 2:15 AEDT.