Just 0.007s in it: SVG pumped to pip Mostert in 'awesome' finish
Late-race battles encouraged Shane van Gisbergen's doubts in reaching the final step on the Race 27 podium, which he stole from Chaz Mostert at the death.
The series leader out-dragged Mostert to the finish line on Sunday to steal the final spot on the podium.
Van Gisbergen was recorded just 0.0072s ahead of Mostert, with Anton De Pasquale a runaway winner in the second race of the BP Ultimate Sydney SuperSprint.
De Pasquale was an easy victory after he was forced to overtake Shell V-Power Racing Team teammate Will Davison late on.
However, it was an even tougher passage to the podium for Red Bull Ampol Racing duo Jamie Whincup and van Gisbergen.
Van Gisbergen started eighth after he was hit with a grid penalty over impeding Jack Le Brocq in qualifying.
The points leader emerged from his three-tyre, lap 18 stop at the back of the top 10, and quickly moved into contention for a top five finish.
Laps spent battling with Mark Winterbottom ensured van Gisbergen had all but ruled out a 21st podium of the season.
However, he quickly caught up to the battle for the minors as Davison tried in vain to hold off Whincup and Mostert.
In a thrilling climax to the 32-lap sprint, van Gisbergen ran underneath Mostert and stole the final trophy on the line.
"The end was awesome," van Gisbergen beamed.
"The first bit I thought, 'Oh, we might be stuck'.
"We did something different with the tyres and took less than the other guys.
"At the end was a lot of fun, carving through and everyone was racing well.
"Then the last corner with Chaz, I just saw him slide and keep wiggling.
"I was head down on the wheel like I was driving a go kart, trying to go faster. Really cool."
Clearing Winterbottom proved crucial in van Gisbergen's podium bid, with Davison, Whincup and Mostert edging away.
The Winterbottom overtake would pay dividends for van Gisbergen, who maximised his tyre strategy to keep his victory hopes alive for the final race of the weekend.
Whincup and van Gisbergen will launch from the front row for Race 28, which will commence at 4:45pm AEDT.
"I just saw the leaders getting away," he said.
"We took a little bit of pain to be fast at the end.
"Next qualy is good, we were on the front row, so hopefully good teamwork and we'll try and run away."
