PIRTEK Pitstop Challenge finals race on knife’s edge

Just 12 points separates six teams vying for a place in the lucrative PIRTEK Pitstop Challenge finals series.

With Brad Jones Racing and the Red Bull Holden Racing Team seemingly checking out at the front of the field via their Nick Percat and Jamie Whincup entries, the hottest battle is for positions third and fourth.

With only the first two races from the Robson Civil Projects Townsville SuperSprint last weekend counting – the finale does not due to Safety Car intervention – the biggest mover has been Penrite Racing.

They’ve lost further significant ground on their #9 entry, recording the slowest pitstop of the Saturday race.

The David Reynolds-driven car had led the competition through the early stages but has now slid back to sixth.

Shell V-Power Racing currently holds a double entry for the semis, with their #12 car just ahead of the #17.

Hot on their heels though are two separate Tickford Racing crews, with Lee Holdsworth and Jack Le Brocq fifth and eighth.

Their respective garage stablemates James Courtney and Cameron Waters are now all inside the top 10, in a sign of how consistently efficient Tickford has been in pitlane.

The other finals contender is the second Brad Jones Racing car of Todd Hazelwood in seventh – still only three points off fourth place.

Every race from both Tailem Bend events this month will count towards the final regular season tally, with the top four to battle it out for the competition’s $20,000 major prize during the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

BJR are the reigning champions after a dominant display in the 2019 edition of the competition. 

PIRTEK Pitstop Challenge leaderboard Round 6 (top 10)

1. R&J Batteries Racing #8 – 303 points

2. Red Bull Holden Racing Team #88 – 288

3. Shell V-Power Racing Team #12 – 252

4. Shell V-Power Racing #17 – 249

5. Truck Assist Racing #5 – 248

6. Penrite Racing #9 – 246

7. Black Duck SeatCovers #14 – 246

8. Supercheap Auto Racing #55 – 240

9. Monster Energy Racing #6 – 220

10. Boost Mobile Racing #44 – 207