Team 18 secured a superb runner-up finish in the 2025 Repco Bathurst 1000, with David Reynolds and Lee Holdsworth storming home to second place in the #20 TRADIE Energy Racing Chevrolet Camaro after a wild, rain-soaked Great Race.
DEWALT Racing’s Anton De Pasquale and Harri Jones endured a tough day in the #18 DEWALT Racing Chevrolet Camaro, classified 20th after mid-race contact with the wall, but a swift repair job by the crew ensured De Pasquale took the chequered flag and locked in a berth for the inaugural Supercars Finals Series.
The 1000-kilometre classic delivered every element of Bathurst drama with changing weather, Safety Cars, bold strategy calls and a breathtaking finish.
Co-drivers Harri Jones and Lee Holdsworth handled the opening stints cleanly before handing over to their main drivers as rain began to sweep across Mount Panorama.
Both Team 18 cars showed strong speed through the middle stages, with Holdsworth overcoming an early radio issue to fight his way into contention, leading the race briefly as Jones held his own.
In the final laps, Reynolds hunted down race leaders James Golding, Matt Payne and Cooper Murray in a tense, wheel-to-wheel battle for victory, ultimately crossing the line second to Payne in one of the most thrilling Bathurst finishes in recent memory.
De Pasquale and Jones displayed promising pace early before a slide into the wall at The Esses forced repairs. Despite the setback, the team repaired the car and got the DEWALT Chevrolet back on track to ensure vital points, securing De Pasquale’s place in the upcoming Finals Series in seventh in the standings.
Team 18 also climbed one spot in the Teams’ Championship to fifth.
Team 18 will next contest the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 on 24-26 October, the opening round of the Repco Supercars Finals Series, where De Pasquale will aim to progress beyond the elimination stage.
RESULTS & QUOTES
Anton De Pasquale – Driver, #18 DEWALT Racing Chevrolet Camaro
Race 27: 20th
“Mixed weather, a bit of everything. Unfortunately, I shunted the car, not great, but awesome to see Dave and Lee on the podium. A Bathurst podium for the team is amazing.
“We made the Shootout with our car, they grabbed a podium with theirs, and we showed good pace on and off throughout the race.
“I stuffed up and half wrote it off, but the team did an unreal job to get the car back out. We held our championship position, which is a big positive heading into the finals. Overall, a solid week.”
Harri Jones – Co-Driver, #18 DEWALT Racing Chevrolet Camaro
“My first Bathurst 1000 done and dusted, definitely a baptism of fire. We’ve experienced the full highs and lows of motorsport this week.
“I started the race and had a good opening stint before handing over to Anton. Our dry pace was really strong, and then to make things interesting, we added some rain and it turned everything on its head.
“Strategy didn’t really fall our way, but the car was fast all day. Obviously, we’re disappointed with how it ended after Anton’s small mistake, but overall there are a lot of positives to take away.”
David Reynolds – Driver, #20 TRADIE Energy Racing Chevrolet Camaro
Race 27: 2nd
“I don’t even know where to start, what a day.
“Leading up to the race, we had a reasonable car, good but probably not quite enough to win in the dry, so I was praying for rain. I said all week, if it rains, we’re on, and it did — and I’m so glad it happened when it did.
“We had moments of brilliance and some that weren’t so great. In the half-wet conditions the car was amazing, but in the full wet it was one of the hardest cars I’ve ever driven. There were moments I was honestly scared for my life — 285 km/h, zero visibility, couldn’t see left, right, in front or behind. It was claustrophobic at times.
“When the track started drying, the car came alive in the last 20 laps and the show was on. I passed a few cars,I think I went from about eighth up to second and was reeling in the leaders hand over fist. Then Golding and Murray tangled, I got through, and suddenly it was me and Matt Payne fighting for the win.
“I tried to go around the outside at The Cutting on the last lap but got squeezed wide and nearly ended up in the wall. That’s Bathurst, last lap, you’ve got to go for glory.
“The rain came back in the final few laps and just took the edge off our pace, but if it had stayed dry, I genuinely believe we would’ve won. Still, what a race, one of the wildest of my life. Lee drove his face off, the pit stops were faultless, and the radio issue we had early where the car could hear the team but not the other way around, got fixed thanks to Lee plugging it in properly. Without that, who knows if we’d have made it this far.
“It was terrifying at times but an incredible day for the whole team. I’m stoked with second.
Lee Holdsworth – Co-Driver, #20 TRADIE Energy Racing Chevrolet Camaro
“Second at the 2025 Bathurst 1000, what an incredible result for the team. We fought so hard today. We had a really quick car in the wet and in the dry when conditions weren’t too hectic, and Dave just came alive. The car came alive.
“We caught the leaders by eight seconds and ended up right in the fight for the win. It was an amazing race, one of the best I’ve ever witnessed. Watching from the pits is always stressful, but seeing us cross the line in P2 was incredible.
“Of course, we want to win it, and we’ll have another go next year. But for the team, after all the hard work and the late nights this weekend, to reward them with a podium is really special. We’ll go and celebrate tonight.