Reynolds scores Race 2 pole, Courtney crashes

David Reynolds has claimed his second Newcastle pole in a dramatic Shootout headlined by James Courtney’s heavy crash.

Reynolds, who was quickest in ARMOR ALL Qualifying, will start alongside Ford rival Chaz Mostert for the Thrifty Newcastle 500 finale.

Championship leader Cam Waters will share the second row with standout James Golding, who qualified his #31 Nulon Camaro in third.

After two days of action in Newcastle, the Camaro and Mustang have one pole position apiece.

Courtney became the first major casualty of the Gen3 era when he crashed at Turn 9 during his fast lap.

The 2010 champion clipped the inside barrier and careened into the outside wall.

Courtney’s #5 Snowy River Caravans Ford sustained major front right damage, with Tickford now racing the clock to repair it in time for the race.

"It’s just frustrating," Courtney said after returning to the garage.

"There’s oil down there, so just trying to get in as close to the wall as I could to get around on the inside.

"But on the exit obviously too close, clipped the wall and show’s over."

The margin between Reynolds and #25 Mobil 1 Optus Mustang driver Chaz Mostert was just 0.0058s.

Golding’s career-best third came from a 1:12.1905s lap, which was just 0.1092s from a shock maiden ARMOR ALL Pole Position.

For Reynolds, it was career pole No. 16, and his third with Penrite Racing.

"Our car was pretty fast before qualifying before," Reynolds said.

"The track is much slower so I sort of just buckled in and had a crack, and it was alright.

“A little bit messy here and there, not perfect — but good enough to be pole.”

On Courtney’s car, Tickford CEO and Team Principal Tim Edwards said: "James is fine – it wasn’t that big a hit.

"It’ll literally just come down to whether we’ve got all the parts, everybody knows there’s a shortage up and down pit lane of a lot of the parts.

“Until we actually get into it we won’t know – but it’s done the radiator etc – it’s gone in fairly deeply. Anyway, we’ll see when we get it back.”

Broc Feeney (#88 Red Bull Ampol Camaro) was first driver out, followed by Jack Le Brocq (#34 Truck Assist Camaro) and Courtney.

Mostert followed Todd Hazelwood (#3 CoolDrive Mustang) and set the pace, and enjoyed the front-running from there.

Tim Slade (#400 Nulon Camaro), Shane van Gisbergen (#97 Red Bull Ampol Camaro), Golding and Waters were all unable to displace Mostert.

It fell to Reynolds to steal pole from Mostert, and he did — ensuring Fords will lead the field away for Sunday’s 95-lap race.