Van Gisbergen's dozen: Race 21 takeaways

A five-year drought could have ended, but instead, the series leader hit the dozen.

The Race 21 victory at the Bunnings Trade Sydney SuperNight belonged to Shane van Gisbergen.

Van Gisbergen started sixth for the race; it was his fifth win at Sydney Motorsport Park.

It was also the Red Bull Ampol Racing driver’s 12th win of the season, and 17th podium from 21 starts.

It was the 11th instance of a driver winning 12 or more races in a season.

It has now happened three years in a row, with Scott McLaughlin winning 18 and 13 races in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

Van Gisbergen's series lead is now a season-high 348 points, with teammate and closest rival Jamie Whincup seventh.

Will Davison loomed to break his five-year winless drought, which dates back 144 starts.

The Shell V-Power Racing Team driver led by three second before he lost his margin in the lane due to an electrical issue.

Davison scored his ninth podium of the season, and returned to third in the points standings.

Nick Percat finished third; it was his second podium of 2021, and fourth at SMSP.

Percat, who won two races at SMSP in 2020, will shift from Brad Jones Racing to Walkinshaw Andretti United next season.

Van Gisbergen made the most ground in the race; van Gisbergen gained five spots.

Fabian Coulthard, lost the most ground; Coulthard was classified 24th, having started 19th.