Reynolds the dark horse in points logjams

Tightly-bunched midfield battles offers another key storyline in Perth’s racing return.

This weekend, Wanneroo Raceway will host its first Supercars action since 2019.

The last start Albert Park event uncovered David Reynolds as a 2022 dark horse.

Reynolds scored three podiums and loomed to claim overall honours before a Race 9 DNF.

The midfield is such that Reynolds, who is ninth, is just 40 points behind fifth-placed Brodie Kostecki.

Had Reynolds not suffered his DNF, he would likely be fifth.

A split oil cooler in Sydney and being spun by Mark Winterbottom in Tasmania has prevented Reynolds from being even higher in the standings.

Instead, Kostecki is 10 points ahead of rookie Broc Feeney; Cam Waters is 32 points from Kostecki, and Tim Slade 34 behind.

Slade is the only driver of the five without a podium finish so far in 2022.

Slade did, however, finish all four Melbourne races in the top 10. He was the only driver in the field to do so.

Todd Hazelwood holds a top 10 position for the first time in his career, but the group behind gets larger, and the margins tighter.

Mark Winterbottom is seven points behind in 11th; Will Brown is 12th, 21 points behind Winterbottom.

Nick Percat, James Courtney and Lee Holdsworth in positions 13, 14 and 15 are covered by 13 points.

All told, all drivers from Kostecki in fifth to Holdsworth in 15th are covered by 145 points.

Reynolds finished second in 2018

With each race worth 100 points, and with fastest lap bonus points on offer, every result this weekend will be crucial.

Holdsworth is the only driver of the six to have scored a podium in 2022; having done so from 15th in Race 7.

When it comes to Perth trump cards, Winterbottom is by far and away the leader; he has won seven races, more than any active driver.

In fact, Winterbottom has finished in the top three in Perth on 16 occasions from 40 starts.

Reynolds, Waters (one each), Courtney, Holdsworth, Percat and Slade combine for just two Perth podiums.

Reynolds finished second behind Scott McLaughlin in 2018; Waters finished behind McLaughlin and Jamie Whincup under lights in 2019.

Brown won his first Super2 race in Perth

Kostecki, Feeney and Brown have never raced a main game car in Perth; Feeney has never raced in Perth full stop.

The Erebus teammates have prior form; Brown won his first Super2 race at Wanneroo Raceway in 2019.

Kostecki, meanwhile, will be buoyed by his hometown nous, being a West Aussie local.

Third in the 2018 opener is Kostecki’s best result in five Super2 starts at Wanneroo Raceway.

Which drivers will emerge in the box seat in the standings after this weekend’s trio of Perth races?

Find out at the Bunnings Trade Perth SuperNight. Purchase your tickets now.