Cameron Waters returned to form in high-quality style by winning the thirteenth Supercars race in Townsville.
Starting from pole position, the Tickford Mustang driver did not pass Chaz Mostert early within the race before Walkinshaw Andretti United initiated an undercut along with his driver on lap 24.
Although Waters returned to the track still within the lead, Mostert used the warmed-up tyres to make a blocking run at Turn 11, with minor contact occurring as Water threatened to react immediately to the reduction in speed.
The intensity of the fight increased on lap 52 when a successful attack for the lead at Turn 2 slowed the pair of drivers enough for Will Davison to cling to the rear bumper of Mostert's Mustang.
Waters, once more outpacing the remainder, finally pitted on lap 60 but was eventually passed by Mostert, Thomas Randle and Davison – with Jack Le Brocq squeezing past him at Turn 4.
Once again benefiting from the indisputable fact that he had the freshest tyres, Waters launched an attack and, aided by heavy rain towards the top of the race, accomplished his comeback to win by 1.8s over Mostert, while championship leader Will Brown, who began thirteenth and had struggled through a difficult weekend thus far, finished third.
“It was an incredible race with many epic battles,” Waters said.
Race winner Cameron Waters, Tickford Racing Ford Mustang GT
Photo: Edge Photographics
“We had to maintain it clean and I knew that at the top of our stays we’d should have something to supply.
“Some places were dry and some places were heavy. I knew we had something to fight for and I knew I had a bit of an advantage in the tires.”
For Mostert, winning a troublesome round in Darwin recently with such a robust shot was an enormous plus.
“I fought really hard and was racing Cam to the death,” he said.
“I knew they were a little better than me. They could manage the rear tires a little better.”
Third place was something Will Brown could have expected before the race. From his low starting position, the points leader seemed content to take up the places, but he found himself in front of the Fords of Matt Payne and Randle late within the race.
“I was really nervous after qualifying,” smiled Brown, the Triple Eight Chevrolet Camaro driver, after moving up 10 positions within the standings.
“I was picking them off one by one, as soon as I warmed up the tires, I couldn't get to them. That last section was really good, I was a millimeter away from getting through the loop at Turn 6!”
Payne passed Randle for a solid fourth place, ahead of Le Brocq, Broc Feeney and Davison.
Thanks to his defensive effort and Feeney’s seventh-place finish, Brown prolonged his point result in 141 points, 1482-1341. Mostert stays in third place with 1212 points, while Waters is in fourth with 988 points.
Race results:
