Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen has returned to the winners' circle with a perfectly timed overtaking move to seal a ninth career win at Reid Park in Townsville on Saturday.
The Red Bull ace recorded his 10th of the season and 64th of his career after overhauling Will Davison late in what turned out to be a thrilling NTI Townsville 500 opener.
Davison led van Gisbergen by as much as 17 seconds late, until the defending Supercars Champion started to mow down the two-time Bathurst winner after his second pit stop.
Van Gisbergen has opened up his series lead to 262 points before Sunday's second 250km race of the event after Anton De Pasquale finished sixth.
Van Gisbergen surprised himself with his late surge, and expects more of the same from his rival driver on Sunday.
"I thought we'd put ourselves too far back," van Gisbergen said.
"Came home strong in the eight, good battle with Will. His lines were awesome, he was driving really well. It's going to be tough tomorrow, for sure."
Davison admits they weren't always sure of the victory despite the lead.
"I didn't know if we could manage it, we just ran out of laps," he said.
"Great job by the team. It was a really fun race."
