Lochie Dalton extends points lead with classy Bathurst win
Reuben Goodall's title hopes unravel with teammate clash
Brad Vaughan jumps to second in points with gutsy podium
Blanchard Racing Team have claimed their first-ever 1-2 finish in Supercars competition, as Lochie Dalton and Bailey Sweeny gapped the field in Race 1 of the DUNLOP Super2 Series in Bathurst.
An early mistake from pole sitter Sweeny was all the invitation Dalton needed to extend his series lead, as he claimed his fourth race win of the season in the seventh race of 2026.
Dalton's gain was enhanced by a DNF for Tickford's Reuben Goodall, who entered Race 1 second in points, with the BRT star's series lead extending back out into three figures.
Sweeny converted his maiden pole beautifully as Morris got a poor start from second on the grid, and as the field scrambled to get around the slow #55, there was disaster for Tickford.
Ben Gomersall went to the inside of Morris, and cut back to the racing line for Hell Corner, unaware that teammate Goodall was already there.
Contact sent Goodall into the outside concrete, and Gomersall spinning into the sand, with series leader Lochie Dalton also copping a hit in the Turn 1 chaos.
Gomersall was out on the spot, whilst Goodall limped back around to pit lane in an effort to repair his car and score any points, but was also a non-finisher.
The chaos saw Dalton up to second behind his teammate when the Shannons Safety Car was deployed, whilst the big winner was Brendon Leitch, the debutant getting a rocket start to gain six positions from 14th to eighth.
After a quick Safety Car, Sweeny led the field back to green on lap 3, but bowled a wide at Murray's Corner, with Dalton capitalising and taking the lead within seconds of the race getting back underway.
There was yet more teammate on teammate action after the restart, Elliott Cleary chopping across the nose of Eggleston teammate Bradi Owen at Murray's Corner and being spun down the escape road.
The two BRT Fords pulled away at the head of the field, with Vaughan coming under assault from Morris for third, and having a big dive at Griffins Bend on lap 6.
Morris had to take to the inside kerb to avoid contact as Vaughan took the racing line, and then bowled a wide at McPhillamy Park as he looked to get by the #80 Commodore.
Sweeny set the fastest lap of the race as he closed the gap to his teammate in the lead, however Dalton responded to stretch the margin again before the second Safety Car appearance of the day.
Matt Hillyer was tagged into a spin at Forrests Elbow by Jonathon Webb, with Hillyer breaking his rear wing as he backed into the tyres and becoming the third retirement of the day. Webb was slapped with a pit lane penalty.
With just under six minutes remaining, Dalton led the field back to green on lap 11, and immediately gapped his teammate in second, whilst the Vaughan/Morris battle for third reignited.
Sweeny briefly closed the margin, however Dalton set the fastest lap of the race on the penultimate lap, as he romped away to his fourth win in seven attempts this season.
Vaughan was able to hang on to third over Morris, and moved up to second in points, 126 behind Dalton.
The final day of Super2 action in Bathurst commences with Boost Mobile Qualifying at 9:05am local time.
