Wood helps returning WAU to Super2 pole

Walkinshaw Andretti United rookie Ryan Wood has scored pole position for the second Dunlop Series race in Newcastle.

The New Zealander pipped title favourite Zak Best by just 0.0025s to claim his first ever pole in Supercars machinery.

The top four in ARMOR ALL Qualifying were covered by less than a tenth of a second.

Brad Vaughan opened Super2 proceedings with a 1:13.4231s, before Wood clocked a 1:13.2559s.

Wood held top spot with Aaron Love moving to second, albeit just 0.0610s slower.

The field rolled out for a busy final three minutes, and Best was first to blink when he locked up and went up the Turn 2 escape road.

Best made it around again and jumped to second, just 0.0025s behind Wood’s time.

Matt Chahda jumped to third as the chequered flag flew, and was just 0.0467s from pole position.

Love, Saturday winner Cooper Murray, Jay Hanson, Vaughan and Jack Perkins slotted in behind.

The session ended in drama for Cameron Crick, who picked up damage to the right front of his Eggleston Commodore.

Earlier in the Super3 session, Jobe Stewart set the early pace with a 1:15.1758s.

Cameron McLeod went quicker with a 1:14.7824s, and improved to a 1:14.6779s next time around.

Mason Kelly had the first of two big moments in his Altima as he grazed the Turn 6 barriers.

He then hit the Turn 8 barriers as he avoided teammate Jett Johnson, who had slid into the barriers before bouncing onto the racing line.

The session was red-flagged, ending the Super3 session early.

It left McLeod on Super3 pole ahead of Stewart, with the pair starting from 15th and 19th overall.

The 21-lap Race 2 is scheduled to start at 1:45pm local time on Sunday.