The crucial upside to Mostert podium

For the first time in six months, Chaz Mostert is back in the top three in the championship.

Mostert raced to third in Saturday’s Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 opener.

The Walkinshaw Andretti United driver was an early fixture in the championship this year.

However, a run of poor form — notably, in Tasmania and Perth — undid Mostert’s hopes.

It was in Perth where Mostert dropped out of the top three, and he has battled back since.

He is still the second winningest driver in 2022 behind Shane van Gisbergen, who has run away with the title.

With third in Race 31, and with Anton De Pasquale sixth, Mostert jumped to third in the points standings.

Mostert has 18 top 10 finishes in 19 starts since his Perth nadir, where he was no better than 12th all weekend.

Van Gisbergen and Cam Waters are set to finish first and second, but third is still all to play for.

Mostert will carry a two-point lead over De Pasquale into Sunday, with Will Davison 107 points further behind.

The #25 Mobil 1 Optus Commodore driver loomed to take second from David Reynolds late on on Saturday.

However, Mostert was forced to look in his mirrors as Davison mounted a comeback of his own.

Mostert was as low as effective seventh in the race before he charged to the front.

Davison, who suffered a slow stop, did the same, with Reynolds undone by a steering wheel issue.

The three cars were covered by just 1.3s, Mostert doing enough to demote De Pasquale.

Mostert’s efforts were made possible thanks to Waters passing De Pasquale for fifth late on.

“Was hot out there that’s for sure,” said Mostert, who finished a career-best third in 2021.

“Awesome to add another surfboard to the collection here on the Gold Coast, nice to reward the team with a good result.

“It’s definitely tricky to pass especially around here, but we were locked in a good battle at the end with Dave and Will, so that was cool.

“Will aim for the Shootout again tomorrow and see if we can move a bit higher."

Cars will hit the track on Sunday for ARMOR ALL Qualifying, a Top Ten Shootout and Race 32.