Split-second decision costs Fullwood potential podium
Bryce Fullwood almost plays perfect strategy in Race 3 at Sydney
Fullwood made last stop for dry tyres just as rain arrived
BJR driver finishes 20th, but believes silverware could've been a real possibility
If the rain had fallen just half a minute sooner in Race 3 at the Thrifty Sydney 500 - Opening Round, Bryce Fullwood could have pulled off one of the more improbable results in recent memory.
Fullwood was one of the last drivers to make their first of two compulsory pit stops, and was running and was running third on road with eight laps to go, yet to make his final stop.
With rain clouds bearing down on Sydney Motorsport Park, Fullwood was leaving his final stop as late as possible with rain imminent.
On Lap 45, Fullwood made his second and final stop, dropping the Territorian from third to 20th on fresh rubber.
No sooner had Fullwood left the pit lane, that the rain arrived, leaving all 25 drivers with a daunting task of wrestling around Sydney Motorsport Park on slick tyres in increasingly wet conditions.
Fullwood remained in 20th until the conclusion of the race, and cut a dejected figure in pit lane after the race, knowing that a big opportunity of an upset result had gone begging,
"Well clearly we got it wrong," said Fullwood.
"I was doing the rain dance as hard as I could, because obviously I knew what was going on, everyone had pitted.
"Unfortunately, basically as soon as I dropped into the fast lane it started raining, so the timing couldn't have been any more worse for us.
"We could've looked like rockstars, but instead we don't, but look we had a crack, and we had a really fast car this weekend, and unfortunately we don't have a lot to show for it, but we have a lot of confidence going into the next round."
Had the rain and Fullwood's final stop come simultaneously, the 2019 Super2 champion believed that a strong result was more than achievable with the advantage of a wet tyre in the tricky conditions.
"Probably fifth or better. On a wet tyre, on that circuit, you would be seven seconds a lap faster, maybe more.
"It would've been a big difference, so shoulda, woulda, coulda, but we did about 99% of the hard work to get there, but just missed that final 1%, but it is what it is."
Fullwood leaves the weekend 15th in the standings after securing two top 10 qualifying efforts and a best finish of ninth in the season opener on Friday night.
The 2025 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the Melbourne SuperSprint, which will feature at the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix 2025 on March 13-16.
