The Prebrief: The key storylines at Winton
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Supercars return to Winton Motor Raceway for the first time since 2019 for the Pizza Hut Winton SuperSprint.
Winton Motor Raceway will this weekend host the fifth round of 2022, and its 33rd ATCC/Supercars round.
Click HERE to purchase your event tickets.
The first Supercars round in Winton in three years will be headlined by three 36-lap races; one on Saturday, and two on Sunday.
Shane van Gisbergen enters the weekend with a 164-point championship lead over Anton De Pasquale.
Known for being a tight and tricky track, the rural Winton circuit is just three kilometres long with 12 corners; there is limited rest time for drivers.
Victorian teams could also have an upper hand at Winton, given it is their testing circuit.
But the regional venue has a history of throwing up surprise results, and an unexpected winner could be on the cards.
Before the cars hit the track on Saturday, Supercars.com takes a look at the key storylines at Winton.
Triple Eight Winton hoodoo
Shane van Gisbergen continued his championship charge at Wanneroo Raceway with two wins.
Van Gisbergen blew past James Courtney in the finale to claim his eighth win of the season.
Winton represents something of an anomaly for Red Bull Ampol Racing; the team has won just one of the last 17 races.
Van Gisbergen has one victory to his name, coming in 2017, at the rural circuit.
He never buys into the hype, but with Shell V-Power Racing Team continuing its strong qualifying form, the Kiwi will need to turn it on at Winton.
Happy hunting ground for Davison
Fresh off a drought-breaking win in Perth, Will Davison returns to a happy hunting ground with the Shell V-Power Racing Team.
Davison secured its second career win for the Ford squad at the venue in 2008.
DJR has strong form at Winton Motor Raceway, claiming five of the last six pole positions.
The team has also won the last three races there dating back to 2018.
With a new spring in his step and an impressive qualifying record this season, Davison is poised to shake up the title fight.
True test for Tickford
Cam Waters leads the charge for Tickford Racing, and is sitting fourth in the points.
A controversial penalty for exceeding track limits denied him a race win in Perth after he scored a podium under lights.
But Waters is not alone; teammate James Courtney proved he still has some fight with a solid run to second in the Perth finale.
Team boss Tim Edwards is adamant their recent success is a genuine return to form for the Ford squad.
Recruit Jake Kostecki also recorded a career-best result at Wanneroo Raceway.
"It’s good to be going back to Winton," said Waters, who finished 11th in Sunday's Bathurst 12 Hour.
"It feels like we’re there every couple of months testing but it’ll be great to have the crowds back and go racing there.
"We’ve had a pretty up and down start to the season, but Perth was definitely a good step for us even with what happened in the second race.
"It was good for our championship and gave us a bit of momentum we can carry into this weekend.
"Winton’s a tough little track but it makes for good, hard racing, so I’m looking forward to getting back up there and having a crack."
Can Mostert stay in top five contention?
Chaz Mostert rounds out the top five in the points standings after a frustratingly inconsistent start to the season.
Walkinshaw Andretti United struggled in Perth, with both Mostert and Nick Percat unable to crack the top 20 across three qualifying sessions.
However, Mostert could have an ace up his sleeve in Winton, with the team testing at the venue last Tuesday.
Mostert has the most ARMOR ALL Pole Positions for active drivers at the circuit, his fifth pole coming in the first race in 2019.
With a point to prove and a teams’ championship deficit to overturn, Mostert will be out for redemption in Winton.
The outsiders
Winton holds fond memories for Tim Slade, who recorded his maiden career win at the circuit in 2016.
Slade claimed a win on both days in Winton, beating reigning champion Mark Winterbottom in a furious battle of speed and pit strategy in the 2016 finale.
He currently sits ninth in the points following a standout performance at Albert Park last month.
Slade looms as a possible surprise packet at Winton, so expect the veteran to be on the pace.
Don’t miss a slice of the action when the 2022 season heats up for the Pizza Hut Winton SuperSprint. Click here for tickets.
Every session of the event will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 506 and streamed on Kayo.
The Seven Network will broadcast highlights on Saturday and Sunday.
