Heimgartner cheered on SVG in Waters battle

Andre Heimgartner says he was hoping for a fairytale ending for countryman Shane van Gisbergen.

Van Gisbergen overhauled Cam Waters in a battle for the ages to win Sunday’s Pukekohe finale.

Van Gisbergen vaulted from eighth to score his 18th victory of 2022, marking a befitting end to Supercars at Pukekohe.

It came after the Red Bull Ampol Racing ace passed Heimgartner en route to Waters.

The Brad Jones Racing driver held on to make it two New Zealanders on the podium.

Despite having to spectate as his rivals fought for the win, Heimgartner was happy to see his fellow Kiwi secure victory.

“I’m really glad Shane was able to get it in,” Heimgartner said.

“I was hanging back there and no offence to Cam, but I was cheering for Shane.

“I was really gunning for Shane. I was there when he won his first race at the Hamilton, in the street race.

“I was in the crowd and one of the ones going nuts.

“I was also one of the ones going nuts at Pukekohe when Murphy and all those guys won, so it was pretty cool weekend.”

It marked Heimgartner’s second podium in as many days, after he finished second in Saturday’s opener.

Like he did to Waters in Race 27, Heimgartner overhauled De Pasquale in the lane thanks to BJR’s quick work.

He emerged effective second, and held off Broc Feeney despite his cold tyres.

That set up an attempt to chase down Waters for the lead, and was followed closely by van Gisbergen who had pitted on lap 25.

Heimgartner and van Gisbergen quickly caught Waters, who made an error at Turn 5.

Van Gisbergen motored past Heimgartner on lap 31 and set off after the Tickford Racing driver.

An epic battle ensued, seeing the rivals running side by side to the final corner.

With three laps to go, van Gisbergen pulled off a stunning overtake in front of his adoring Kiwi fans.

Having two Kiwis on the podium for the last race at Pukekohe isn’t lost on Heimgartner, who admitted he was emotional ahead of Sunday’s finale.

“I didn't really get too emotional until the last race when they're doing the Haka,” Heimgartner said.

“Then you start thinking about it trying to fight back the tears.

“For the last race both me and Shane, or any Kiwi that was on the grid, we just really wanted to do really well and win the race if you could.

“Lots of emotions go through your head, so it’s definitely an emotional day.”

Van Gisbergen leads Waters by an extended 525 points heading to Bathurst.

Tickets for the Repco Bathurst 1000 are available on Supercars.com and Ticketek.