Team 18 will start both its full-time entries inside the top eight for Sunday’s Bathurst 1000, with Anton De Pasquale securing third and David Reynolds eighth in Saturday’s Top Ten Shootout.

De Pasquale delivered a 2:04.5296 aboard the DEWALT Racing Chevrolet, finishing just 0.3234 seconds from pole to secure a second-row start alongside co-driver Lee Holdsworth.

Reynolds recorded a 2:05.1732 in the No. 48 Snowy River Racing Chevrolet Camaro, placing the entry he shares with James Courtney on the fourth row for the 161-lap Great Race.

The Shootout followed two final practice sessions, with both crews focusing on long runs, race balance and their preparations for Sunday.

Holdsworth finished sixth in the morning’s dedicated co-driver session, completing 20 laps with a best time of 2:06.4090. Courtney recorded 21 laps and a fastest time of 2:06.6485 to finish 13th.

The DEWALT Racing pairing continued its strong showing in final practice, finishing second with a 2:05.4973 across 20 laps. Reynolds and Courtney completed 18 laps and placed 10th with a 2:06.0454.

De Pasquale and Holdsworth were encouraged by the car’s pace and comfort across the longer runs, with De Pasquale carrying that form into the single-lap Shootout.

The Snowy River Racing crew’s preparations were interrupted by contact during practice, but both drivers remain comfortable in the car heading into race day.

Team 18 now turns its attention to Sunday’s Bathurst 1000 at 11:30am AEDT, with all the action live on Channel 7, Fox Sports and Kayo.

RESULTS & QUOTES

Anton De Pasquale, driver – No. 18 DEWALT Racing Chevrolet Camaro

Practice 5: P6 (2:06.4090)
Practice 6: P2 (2:05.4973)
Top Ten Shootout: P3 (2:04.5296)

“It was a good day. We got a heap of race running in the books, which was really good.

“We also got to do the Top Ten Shootout, which is always a really cool experience. We’re starting third for the 1000, so I’m super excited to get stuck into it.”

Lee Holdsworth, co-driver – No. 18 DEWALT Racing Chevrolet Camaro

“I’m happy with the day and feeling comfortable in the car. We’re fast, and Anton did a great lap to give us a good starting spot for tomorrow on the second row.

“Tomorrow’s the day. It’s going to be fun. Let’s win it.”

David Reynolds, driver – No. 48 Snowy River Racing Chevrolet Camaro

Practice 5: P13 (2:06.6485)
Practice 6: P10 (2:06.0454)
Top Ten Shootout: P8 (2:05.1732)

“It was an okay day. James did Practice 5 and some long runs to help figure out our race balance. I think it’s okay, but we still need a little bit more to be one of the front-running cars.

“In Practice 6, James had a little incident on the out lap involving some wildlife and another car, which put us on the back foot a little bit. But if that’s the only thing that goes wrong this weekend, that’s a pretty good weekend.

“In the Shootout, I laid down the best lap I could and it was good enough for eighth. If I’d done the absolute best job I could have, I might have been a tenth or two up the road and perhaps fifth or sixth. You’re always thinking you can do better, even if you’re on pole.

“It’s a good starting spot, and James is awesome at starts, so I’m looking forward to that.

“I’m confident enough that hopefully we’ll be there at the end of the race, and that’s all that matters. It’s a long day, but it plays out quickly. Hopefully we’ll be there or thereabouts.”

James Courtney, co-driver – No. 48 Snowy River Racing Chevrolet Camaro

“Frosty backed into me on the straight, which was highly annoying. I only had a quick run this morning to work through some procedural stuff, and unfortunately the car was then compromised for that session, which was disappointing.

“But the car’s been quick all week. We’ve been pretty comfortable, and both Dave and I are happy with how it is. We’re looking forward to the Great Race tomorrow.

“It’s an interesting dynamic being in this role. Tomorrow I’m the caretaker. My job is to get through the middle part of the day and keep it right for the Ginger Prince to bring home strong.”