The Prebrief: key storylines in final Sydney SuperNight
Supercars completed its third consecutive week of racing in Sydney at last weekend’s BP Ultimate Sydney SuperSprint.
Anton De Pasquale was again the man to beat at Sydney Motorsport Park, recording two more poles and claiming victory in Races 26 and 27.
Rookie Will Brown made history in Race 28, recording his first career victory for Erebus Motorsport.
Shane van Gisbergen had a rare winless weekend at the Eastern Creek venue, with finishes of second, third and third across the 32-lap sprints.
It could have been a simple one-two in Race 28 for the Red Bull Ampol Racing Team. However, a mid-race squabble between Jamie Whincup and van Gisbergen allowed Brown to take the honours.
Track action will resume at Sydney Motorsport Park on Friday for the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight.
The three-day event will host dual 250km races, one under lights on Saturday and one on Sunday.
Supercars.com breaks down the key storylines ahead of the eleventh event of the 2021 Repco Supercars Championship.
Longer races, Super Soft tyres and refuelling returns
The final round in Sydney sees the return of the Dunlop Super Soft tyre compound following its introduction in Darwin.
Dual 250-kilometre races and refuelling are also back on the schedule. Teams may only use one set of Super Softs in the races.
At least two tyres have be fitted during the mandatory pit stop in each race, which features a 120 litre fuel drop.
Mixed tyre racing saw a number of surprise results in the ARMOR ALL Sydney SuperNight, notably James Courtney’s Race 24 podium.
Strategy and tyre conservation will be key to a driver’s chances.
Can SVG wrap up the 2021 title this weekend?
This weekend’s penultimate round could see van Gisbergen claim the 2021 Repco Supercars Championship.
Van Gisbergen is 337 points ahead of second-placed Red Bull Ampol Racing teammate Whincup in the standings.
With a win in Race 29 and Race 30 worth 150 points each this weekend, van Gisbergen could secure the 300-point advantage he needs heading to the Repco Bathurst 1000.
However, a good run for Whincup could see a significant dent for the championship leader if he has a bad weekend.
Will SVG play it safe in Sydney or go all out to be named champion-elect on Sunday?
Will teams focus on a pre-Bathurst strategy?
With the season finale Repco Bathurst 1000 just two weeks away, we could see drivers playing it safe in Sydney.
Looking to minimise any possible damage to their cars before heading to Mount Panorama, some teams might take a conservative approach.
However, while others play the long game, it could make way for a surprise winner.
Anton’s Sydney supremacy
The Shell V-Power Racing Team ace resumed his 2021 season in dominant form, remaining the man to beat in Sydney.
He emerged victorious in an intra-team battle in Race 27 to record his fifth win in eight starts at the venue.
De Pasquale drew level with the SMSP win tallies of Whincup and Craig Lowndes.
To this weekend, the 26-year-old has six poles and five wins across the first three Sydney events.
He is now within reach of the top five in the standings. Expect De Pasquale to come out swinging in the final weekend at SMSP.
Brown’s record run
Will Brown’s first Supercars career win was historic for Erebus Motorsport, delivering the team its first win since Darwin 2020.
He beat the bickering Whincup and van Gisbergen by just 0.28s.
Erebus also overcame its troubles in pit lane, with the team executing smooth tyre changes throughout the weekend.
With Brown now having tasted the top step of the podium and Erebus' one-lap pace remaining strong, there could be more silverware on the cards for the team.
The Repco Supercars Championship will resume this weekend at the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight.
Every session of the event will be broadcast live on Foxtel (Fox Sports 506) and streamed on Kayo.
The Seven Network will provide live free to air coverage of the event.
Tickets for the event are on sale now.
