There was no Kiwi fairytale as the Supercars championship returned to New Zealand, as Australian Will Davison took the first victory of the final weekend at Pukekohe Park Raceway.
As the Auckland SuperSprint made its return for the first time since 2019, Davison took the chequered flag after starting second on the grid, while Kiwi Andre Heimgartner took second place after he started fifth.
"It's bloody awesome, thanks everyone for coming out, I'm glad we finally got a podium on the last Puke weekend," said Heimgartner.
"Pretty awesome here being a Kiwi, growing up on that side of the fence and then be on the podium on this side, it's bloody awesome, so thanks everyone.
"I learnt how to drive a manual car here, and had my first hot lap with my dad when I was a kid, so I really wanted to tick this off before the track left, so I'm really really glad and hopefully we go one better tomorrow."
Cam Waters finished in third to complete the podium, having started third on the grid.
The win was his Shell V-Power team's second in succession at Pukekohe, with Kiwi Scott McLaughlin the last driver to take victory in New Zealand before Auckland's absence from the Supercars calendar.
An overtake on Waters at the first turn was all Davison needed, holding off the charge of Heimgartner after a late safety car for his third victory of the season.
Meanwhile, championship leader Shane van Gisbergen qualified in seventh, but moved up two places to finish fifth.
Van Gisbergen also stole the fastest lap to finish the race, taking his advantage at the top of the championship to 493 points with seven races to go in 2022.
The weekend continues with two more races on Sunday, as Supercars farewells Pukekohe before moving to Hampton Downs in 2023.
