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Cauchi's extra motivation for elusive race win

23 May 2022
'Qualifying was a little bit almost disappointing'
3 mins by James Pavey
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A elusive first victory was on the cards for Penrite Racing at Winton, believes Team Principal David Cauchi.

Both Penrite Mustangs were on the pace at the Pizza Hut Winton SuperSprint.

David Reynolds impressed on Saturday, setting benchmark pace in both practice sessions.

Despite a fumble in qualifying, Reynolds went on to finish third in Race 13, with teammate Lee Holdsworth finishing fifth.

Reynolds later scored his second podium in as many days, with Holdsworth completing a late charge to finish fourth in Race 14.

Holdsworth overhauled Chaz Mostert, Will Brown and Andre Heimgartner in the closing laps to record his third top-five finish of the season.

Holdsworth, the 2021 Bathurst winner, later raced from ninth to sixth in the Winton finale.

The results saw the Braeside squad tally up the most points of any team across the weekend.

It was more evidence of the team's newfound consistency following its Grove buyout ahead of 2022.

In 15 races across five rounds under Cauchi’s watch, Grove Fords have podiumed in six races.

Despite the solid results, Cauchi says qualifying pace let the team's bid to score victory.

"It’s awesome to see both drivers up there," Cauchi told Supercars’ Cool Down Lap podcast.

"[To be] competitive, in qualifying and in racing... but I think our qualifying was a little bit almost disappointing.

'Had the speed to be one-two': Holdsworth
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"I feel like if we qualified a little bit better, we might have got that close to that elusive race win.

"But I'm rapt for the team, we're just showing every weekend that we are getting better and better, and there's plenty more to come."

Cauchi shifted from Triple Eight to Grove Racing in the off-season, and is the squad’s new Team Principal.

The team has been on an upward trajectory all season; Reynolds scored three podiums at Albert Park, with Holdsworth also claiming a podium.

Cauchi, who spent over a decade with Triple Eight, was elated with the team's consistent podium-contending pace.

"The whole key is to be consistent," Cauchi explained.

Best overtakes from the Pizza Hut Winton SuperSprint

"To turn up to every race weekend and be able to have a competitive car to get results and get podiums.

"At the moment, we are learning a lot, every weekend and we're learning fast.

"We've been a bit unsure about what our performance is going to be week-in, week-out, but we're starting to build some confidence and see some consistency.

"Now we can go to Darwin with a bit of confidence that we can be competitive.

"Everything's going really great. It's just an awesome place to be, everyone's pushing and pushing hard.

"Every weekend we're improving and, and that's what we're here to here to do, we're having a great time."

The 2022 season will resume in Darwin next month. Purchase your tickets now.

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