PremiAir Racing owner declares they can win Bathurst 1000
Jayden Ojeda/David Russell to start Great Race seventh
Bathurst win could promote Ojeda through to Finals
PremiAir Racing team owner Peter Xiberras is adamant that PremiAir Racing can challenge for victory in Sunday's Repco Bathurst 1000.
Jayden Ojeda drove what was arguably the most flamboyant lap of Saturday's Top Ten Shootout in Xiberras' #31 Camaro, and will line up seventh for the Great Race.
Ojeda and three-time Bathurst podium finisher David Russell have been one of the quiet achievers, finishing no lower than 13th in any session over the course of the weekend.
Last year, Russell and former PremiAir driver James Golding infamously finished first on road, but were classified third having started 13th on the grid.
Now led by ex-Triple Eight supremo Roland Dane, and with PremiAir's lead car starting inside the top 10, Xiberras is adamant that a win is on the line on Sunday.
"100%, yeah. Without being rude," Xiberras declared to Supercars.com when asked if they can win on Sunday..
"Look, there's 26 cars, and all 26 have got a chance, but I believe we are in as good a chance as anyone else."
The performances are doubly important for Supercars rookie Ojeda, who is battling for a Finals berth, which would also mark the first time PremiAir would feature in the post-season.
Making the battle even more intense, Finals rivals Jack Le Brocq and James Golding were also Top Ten Shootout runners, and are also in the conversation for a massive result on Sunday.
However, for PremiAir, the plan is purely focused on Bathurst, with a Shootout appearance little more than a first objective ticked for the weekend.
"We're stoked," said Xiberras of Ojeda's performance.
"Bathurst, it's all about being in the 10, and being in a good position, and I think the P7 is a solid spot."
In the lead up to Bathurst, Ojeda vowed to Supercars.com that he would giving the weekend "a red hot crack" to not only chase down his Finals berth, but also hand PremiAir more Bathurst silverware.
Ojeda could bump his way into the Finals as the Enduro Cup winner, thus gaining an automatic entry regardless of whether or not he is in the top 10 in points or not. To do that, a podium would likely be a minimum requirement.
The race starts at 11:30am AEDT.
