Best, Fraser ready for Bathurst showdown

Zak Best is zeroing in on Declan Fraser’s Super2 points lead ahead of a defining Bathurst weekend.

Best won the Sandown round and closed to within a race of points leader Fraser.

Best and Fraser are two of seven drivers in the Super2 field who will also compete in the Great Race.

In fact, the top seven in the Super2 standings won't just race in the Repco Bathurst 1000, but are in mathematical contention for the Super2 title.

Fraser opened up a big lead in Townsville as his rivals faltered.

A Perth DNF saw Best, who won in Sydney, drop to 164 points behind, with Matt Payne soaring into the lead.

Payne’s Townsville DNF opened the door for Fraser, who won the round.

Best left Townsville 141 points behind Fraser, and closed the margin to 114 points at Sandown.

Best, who will race with Thomas Randle in the Great Race, is eyeing off Fraser’s lead.

“We’ve all got Bathurst coming up, and double duties,” said Best, who finished second behind Broc Feeney in 2021.

“It's going to be a fairly busy weekend.

“Focus is still solely on Super2 championship.

“We’re actually in contention now after a DNF in Perth.

“It’s been a tough fightback, but we’re closing the gap slowly.

“Just have to keep the good results coming.”

Fraser will race with Lowndes

Fraser’s Bathurst weekend will carry the added weight of partnering Craig Lowndes, no less.

Lowndes and Fraser will share a Triple Eight wildcard in the Great Race.

For Lowndes, it will be Bathurst start No. 29. For Fraser, it will be start No. 1; the Queenslander is one of seven rookies in the field.

“It’s massive, first ever Bathurst 1000 start, doing it with my idol,” Fraser said.

“Doing with a team like Triple Eight, how they prepare, it’s next level.

“When I get there, I’ll be fully prepared for not only the Bathurst 1000, but Super2.

“We’re gonna go there and give it a red hot crack.”

Dunlop Series runners will complete dual 150-point races in Bathurst next weekend.