DEWALT Racing’s’s Anton De Pasquale and Lee Holdsworth will start Sunday’s AirTouch 500 from fifth position after topping qualifying and progressing to the Top Ten Shootout at The Bend, with Snowy River Racing’s David Reynolds and James Courtney from 16th.

De Pasquale delivered a 1:16.27 aboard the DEWALT Chevrolet to score provisional pole and be the last car on track for the shootout before securing a third-row start for the 500.

Earlier in the day, Holdsworth opened Saturday’s running with the eighth-fastest time in the dedicated co-driver practice session, before De Pasquale and Holdsworth shared the car during Practice 5 as the team continued developing its race balance.

Courtney began the day in the Snowy River Chevrolet before he and Reynolds shared the car in the final practice session to finish 12th fastest after initially struggling with car balance.

Reynolds began qualifying strongly and sat third after the opening runs, but he was unable to improve during his final run, leaving his opening time of 1:16.6409 as his best of the session and placing him 16th.

Sunday’s action begins with a 20-minute warm-up at 10:15am, followed by the 147-lap AirTouch 500 at 1:45pm ACST. All the action can be viewed live on Fox Sports and Kayo.

RESULTS & QUOTES

Anton De Pasquale, Primary Driver – No. 18 DEWALT Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Practice 4: P8 – Lee Holdsworth (1:17.7695)

Practice 5: P11 (1:16.9596)

Qualifying: P1 (1:16.2710)

Top Ten Shootout: P5

“It was qualifying day here at The Bend, and taking provisional pole was really cool.

“The Shootout was very different to qualifying in terms of the tyre preparation and getting the tyre into its window. We struggled a little with that, but still finished fifth.

“Starting fifth for the 500-kilometre race is awesome. We have a bit of work to do on our race car and will have a swing at it overnight because it’s going to be a long race and a little warmer tomorrow.

“We have an idea of where we want to go, we just need to work out how to get there. Hopefully, it will be a really good day for us.”

Lee Holdsworth, Co-Driver – No. 18 DEWALT Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

“The Shootout was stressful to watch, but Anton had a good run. It looked like the tyres didn’t quite grip up for the single lap, but sometimes that happens in a Shootout.

“Sometimes the drivers at the end have an advantage, while at other times the track is better at the start when it’s warmer.

“We’re starting fifth, which is a great position. Hopefully, both cars can run towards the front tomorrow and score some good points heading into Bathurst.”

David Reynolds, Primary Driver – No. 20 Snowy River Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Practice 4: P23 – James Courtney (1:18.2686)

Practice 5: P12 (1:17.0294)

Qualifying: P16 (1:16.6409)

“We had a few brake dramas during practice, so we were chopping and changing pads. I think we fixed that, and the set we went to for qualifying was another improvement.

“In practice, we initially felt like we were nowhere. The car was sliding off the track and wasn’t making sense, but we fitted another set of tyres late in the session and the balance returned, which put us back in the window.

“The car was really good at the beginning of qualifying. I think I was third after the first run and was very happy with the balance.

“I was on a decent lap during my second run when Anton ahead ran off and dragged dirt across the circuit at Turn 5. I was the next car through and went straight off, so that lap was gone.

“We fitted another set for the final run, but the car didn’t produce as much grip. It may have fallen outside the tyre preparation window, so we need to understand why. I felt the car was capable of qualifying well inside the top 10 today, so it was unfortunate that my first run remained my fastest.

“I’m optimistic starting 16th. I know James will get in there and race hard to help us move forward, and I’m looking forward to watching him do his craft because I know how good he is.

“We spent Friday working with one wing setting before the rear aero package was changed overnight, so we’ve been trying to overcome that today. I think it will make the race challenging, but we’ll see where we land.”

James Courtney, Co-Driver – No. 20 Snowy River Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

“Anton had a great qualifying session on the other side of the garage and made it through to the Top Ten Shootout.

“On our side, Dave had a great first run in qualifying. On his second set of tyres, another car dragged dirt onto the track at Turn 5 and affected his lap, then I believe he had a kerb strike on his final run.

“It wasn’t a great outcome for us, but we’re still in the hunt and there is a long way to go tomorrow.”