The 106-race first in Grove breakthrough

Saturday at Albert Park marked a key day for Grove Racing, which secured a double-podium.

David Reynolds and Lee Holdsworth finished second and third in Race 7, which was won by Shane van Gisbergen.

It marked the first double-podium result for the Penrite-backed Braeside operation since 2018.

The team, then under its Kelly Racing guise, finished second and third at The Bend thanks to Rick Kelly and Michael Caruso.

Coincidentally, that race too was won by van Gisbergen.

Saturday’s result ensured the team, now under full Grove ownership, broke a 106-race, 1323-day drought.

Holdsworth celebrates

Reynolds also podiumed in Races 6 and 8, and is just 12 points behind van Gisbergen in the fight for the Larry Perkins Perpetual Trophy.

“I’m really happy, the last five races I’ve had a top four car so it’s fantastic for our team,” he said.

"The dual podium was amazing this morning. The team is ecstatic.

"The investment from the Grove’s has been paramount and it’s starting to pay off.”

Holdsworth’s podium was even more impressive considering he started 15th.

The seas parted for Holdsworth at the final corner as James Courtney and Chaz Mostert collided.

It was Holdsworth’s first full-time podium since Sydney 2020.

Tailem Bend in 2018

The day was made even sweeter for Holdsworth, whose wife Alana and children were on site for the day.

"I’m so happy with the podium today, starting P15 it was a hard task,” he said.

“We made the right call on strategy and I got my way through the drama ahead with good car speed.

"I could see trouble brewing between Courtney and Mostert at the last corner, I kept wide so I could just squeeze by and sneak onto the podium.

"I had my family here at the track today which made the podium result even sweeter.

"It’s been a long time for us to all be together while I’m racing, now we’ve got a trophy to take home.”

The Beaurepaires Melbourne 400 will conclude on Sunday with Race 9.