The Debrief: A sleeping giant awakens
The Repco Bathurst 1000 ended an enthralling 2021 season at the same venue at began at back in February.
The same contenders emerged - Shane van Gisbergen, Cameron Waters and Chaz Mostert - and it was the latter who had the last laugh.
Walkinshaw Andretti United prepared one of the most dominant cars in Bathurst history, with Mostert taking pole, fastest lap and victory.
It marked the biggest result for WAU since the team won the Great Race in 2011.
Could 2022 be the year of Chaz?
WAU stepped up in 2021, as did Mostert, who recorded his best career championship finish of third.
Mostert and Lee Holdsworth were unstoppable in Bathurst, even shrugging off a mid-race puncture to sail to victory.
With a Bathurst win in tow, the sky’s the limit in 2022 for WAU, which will welcome Nick Percat to its stables.
If the team can keep both cars at the front next season, the team’s long wait for a drivers’ title - Mark Skaife in 2002 its last - could finally be over.
Triple Eight bruised, but never beaten
Results of fourth and 18th were disappointing for Red Bull Ampol Racing, which officially clinched the drivers’ and teams’ titles.
In 2022, Jamie Whincup will make way for Super2 champion Broc Feeney, who won’t turn 20 until October.
The team will treat Feeney in 2022 like it did a young Whincup in 2006 in giving him time.
At first glance of his Super2 title-winning campaign, and his impressive Bathurst wildcard appearance, Feeney will be up to the challenge.
Van Gisbergen’s charge to the 2021 title was made easier that Triple Eight’s rivals couldn’t string two rounds together. If they can, it could be a battle for the ages.
De Pasquale set for super sophomore season?
Anton De Pasquale ended 2021 sixth overall with six wins and 11 poles, but a litany of DNFs and inconsistency ensured a top-three championship finish went begging.
He cruised to second in Saturday’s shootout, and was in the hunt for a podium until engine dramas ended his and Tony D’Alberto’s day.
If the #11 Shell Ford is in the window in Newcastle come March, De Pasquale - who can’t seem to shake the McLaughlin comparisons - could return Dick Johnson Racing back to the very top.
Waters at the ready
Cameron Waters couldn’t quite return the lofty heights of his runner-up season in 2020, but still recorded three wins and four poles in 2021.
Tickford Racing has been searching for the same form that won it the 2015 title with Mark Winterbottom.
Waters is in the same boat as Mostert and De Pasquale; lightning fast at times, nowhere at others.
Waters and James Moffat meandered to second on Sunday, and both drivers admitted they didn’t have the pace to match the #25.
If the Ford squad gets it right next season, Tickford can expect a throng of trophies in its Campbellfield cabinet.
The 13-event 2022 Repco Supercars Championship will commence in Newcastle next year. Tickets for the event are on sale now.
The 13-round draft calendar was released on Sunday.
