Mixing it with the Prodrive boys

Todd Hazelwood has secured fourth position on the Dunlop Series Coates Hire Leaderboard after a weekend of consistent racing in Townsville.

The South Australian young gun is taking on his third year in the Dunlop Series, and is focusing on succeeding at every event to edge him closer to a race win.

Hazelwood proved his ability to play at the front of the field in Townsville, finishing third in both races at the tough street circuit. 

Second place for the round was a long time coming, he says, and his Matt Stone Racing team is pleased with the weekend’s progress. 

“It didn’t start out ideal, with Practice we really struggled … in Qualifying too, which really hurt us,” Hazelwood told Supercars.com.

“We had really good car speed in the races, which moved us forward from sixth to third and from fifth to third.

“We are chipping away and hopefully we can keep moving forward in the remainder of the year."

Hazelwood is confident he can match Prodrive front-runners Jack Le Brocq and Garry Jacobson this season, though he is 204 points behind leader Le Brocq with three rounds remaining.  

“I can do the job because I know when I get the opportunity I can rise and get the result,” Hazelwood said.

“I think it would be fantastic to challenge Jack for race wins into the remainder of the year, I think both Jack [and Garry are very strong."

Hazelwood proved he is starting to really gel with his new gen Holden Commodore VF after long hours spent overtime in the workshop behind the scenes.

“We have had a few unlucky situations, in Adelaide we had a puncture, Phillip Island we got turned around and Perth was probably our weakest round,” he said. 

“I think it is only a matter of time before we keep moving forward."

The Dunlop Series will be back on-track at Wilson Security Sandown 500, September 16-18.

The current crop of drivers will steer their Dunlop cars there for the first time as the category returns to the track for the first time since 2011.

“None of us guys have been there in a Supercar in the Dunlop Series before so it will make it a level playing field for everyone which will make it really interesting,” Hazelwood said.

“I think it is great for the series to have a lot of contenders this year, you don’t have to look far up and down pit lane to point a finger on the newest among of guys that could win this, its exciting times.

“I can’t wait to get into the second half of the season now and get some good points.

“We are still in the hunt; we are not too far behind.