Best graduates to Super2

Zak Best will graduate to the Dunlop Super2 Series this year, continuing his association with MW Motorsport.

The 18-year-old showed no shortage of potential in Super3 last season, winning six of the 15 races – more than any other driver.

Two DNFs from pole position proved costly though, leaving him fourth in the points by season’s end.

The 2020 campaign will be his third with MWM and first in the Super2 category, where he will team up alongside Thomas Randle.

Engineer Brendan McGinniskin will also step up with Best from Super3 to provide continuity for the Victorian, who will steer the Nissan Altima driven by Zane Goddard in 2019.

“It’s great to continue with MW Motorsport and to make the step up to Super2,” said Best.

“This has definitely been what we had planned to do – stay with the same team and have the same engineer.

“It is nice to have that consistency and keep the strong relationship that we have built together.

“The field is getting more and more competitive each day with various announcements.

“I am remaining realistic, so if I am in the top five in my first year, I would be absolutely rapt.

“We know how competitive MW Motorsport’s cars have been, so it will be a matter of getting used to my new car and some of the new tracks that we go to.”

Team owner Matthew White was confident the time is right for Best to progress to the next tier of Supercars racing.

“He has done two years in Super3 and earned his dues. It was the right time for him to step up,” White said.

“He won a lot of races last year, and I believe would have won the title if not for that engine issue at Winton. It really cost him, but that is the way things go sometimes.

“Zak can do the job. We really believe in his talent and we are looking forward to seeing the way that he progresses through the season.”

MWM will make an announcement on the driver of their third Nissan in due course.

The team could end up without any of its 2019 line-up, with Goddard stepping up with Matt Stone Racing, title winner Bryce Fullwood linked to Walkinshaw Andretti United and Tyler Everingham’s next step not yet clarified.

Best is the second rookie driver confirmed today for the 2020 Super2 grid, following Zane Morse, and taking the total number of first-year drivers to five thus far.