Dalton fights back for Sydney Super2 round win

Lochie Dalton has claimed the first round win of the 2026 DUNLOP Super2 Series, winning the final race of the weekend at the DUNLOP Sydney 500.

The Tasmanian, who moved from Tickford to Blanchard Racing Team in the off season, was made to fight for his double victory, after making a poor start off pole position.

However, superior car speed was enough to save the #43 Ford, with Dalton able to cruise home to a 5.2s victory in blazing conditions in Sydney.

The race win was enough for Dalton, who will drive for Erebus Motorsport in the Supercars enduros, to claim Round 1 honours on countback over Race 1 winner Brad Vaughan.

Dalton's tardy start saw Ben Gomersall shoot off into the distance as the BRT Mustang tried to fend off a chasing pack led by Reuben Goodall.

Dalton was able to maintain second, and that would prove crucial as he would range onto the back of Gomersall in just three laps, and tried to make the most of his clear pace advantage.

The #43 Mustang rattled on the back of the #6 Tickford Ford at the final complex of corners on the third lap, and Gomersall was left with no choice but to concede the position a couple of laps later.

The Shannons Safety Car was called for the first time this year just a couple of laps later when Alice Buckley parked up with broken steering at Turn 3.

Buckley was tagged by Hamish Fitzsimmons at Turn 2 on the seventh lap, and was tipped into contact with Jordyn Sinni, who spun his #81 Holden. Fitzsimmons was handed a drive through penalty for his role in the incident.

With just under half of the 40-minute clock remaining, the field rolled back around to take the green flag, which didn't come. out until the front half of the field was well on the front straight.

With Dalton not able to accelerate away until the green flags were waved, the field stacked up behind, with Nash Morris getting overlap on teammate Goodall, who drove him right the way to the inside grass.

However, it would be Morris who picked up a five second penalty, as he overtook Goodall before the control line.

Morris was handed his penalty several laps after the fact, and immediately Gomersall sidestepped the #55, as Morris set about preserving a podium finish in the race.

Meanwhile, Dalton was untroubled at the head of the field, his poor start not enough to stop him from converting pole into his fourth career Super2 win.

Gomersall would be promoted to second following his penalty, with Morris managing to keep a place on the podium in third.

Reuben Goodall secured third for the round in fourth, ahead of Vaughan in fifth, then Zak Best, Campbell Logan, Bailey Sweeny, Matt Hillyer, and Bradi Owen.

Round 2 of the 2026 DUNLOP Super2 Series will be held at the betr Darwin Triple Crown from June 19-21, marking the category's first ever visit to the Top End.