Brown pips Reynolds, Waters in Townsville Shootout

Will Brown has edged David Reynolds and Cam Waters to Race 16 pole in an enthralling NTI Townsville 500 Shootout.

Brown, who was eighth man out, clocked a time good enough to secure his third ARMOR ALL Pole Position of 2023.

Critically, Brown is 14 positions ahead of Erebus Motorsport teammate Brodie Kostecki, with the two split by 59 points in the championship.

Brown will share the front row with Penrite Racing veteran David Reynolds, who came out third behind Shane van Gisbergen and Chaz Mostert.

Van Gisbergen (#97 Red Bull Ampol Camaro) will share the second row with provisional pole man Waters, who in third, was just 0.0626s from pole.

Reynolds, meanwhile, was just 0.0501s from his first Townsville pole position since 2019.

“It was awesome,” said #9 Coca-Cola Camaro driver Brown, who could take the championship lead for the first time in his career.

“I was watching the times before, and I thought it was pretty hairy.

“I didn’t want to spray it at [Turn] 1, I probably braked a bit early.

"Didn’t make any mistakes on my lap, and just put a tidy lap together.”

When asked if he was thinking about the prospect of taking the points lead, he replied: “Not really right now.

“It’s disappointing for Brodie, it would have been good to have him up there racing strong as well.

“I’m sure he’ll come through, but starting from the pole is the best start.”

Van Gisbergen opened proceedings with a 1:14.0825s before Reynolds went marginally ahead by 0.0870s with a 1:13.9955s.

Reynolds and van Gisbergen led the way throughout before Brown went fastest.

Jack Le Brocq (#34 Truck Assist Camaro) loomed to take top spot before Brown’s lap, but was forced to play catch-up after making a mistake at Turn 2.

Penrite Racing rookie Matt Payne, on used fronts, set a 1:14.2462s to end up seventh in his first Shootout appearance.

Waters (#6 Monster Energy Mustang) was last out, and ran line astern with Brown and Reynolds before slotting into second,

The top 10 order reads Brown, Reynolds, Waters, van Gisbergen, Le Brocq, Broc Feeney (#88 Red Bull Ampol Camaro), Payne, James Golding (#31 Nulon Camaro), Will Davison (#17 Shell V-Power Mustang) and Chaz Mostert (#25 Mobil 1 Optus Mustang).

The 88-lap Race 16 will commence at 2:40pm AEST.