"With what we have to work with, this weekend is all about ensuring we stay out of trouble and keep racking up the points. We are in championship mode, but that does not mean we will not be having a crack tomorrow."
Steve Ellery added to Team Betta Electrical’s good race pace by finishing ninth.
"I am pleased with today's race as it positions me well but also reinforces the current consistent form I am enjoying," Ellery said.
"The car was faultless and yet again the boys did a blinder of a pitstop. With the three sprint race format it was crucial to finish the first race at least inside the top ten to ensure we were well placed for day two."
Steven Johnson rose from eighteenth to tenth by the end of the race. He is looking forward to the final 200 kilometres on Sunday in an effort to finish higher on the ladder.
"That wasn't too bad (the race) in the end, I wasn't expecting to be that high up after the qualifying session I had," said Johnson.
"If we can find a little more mid-race speed we'll be good. The tyres did a great job and were in fantastic condition by the end, it was just that middle session that prevented an even better result.
"I'm feeling a lot more up-beat now than I was at this time yesterday. There's still a lot of work to be done, but it was a good start."
The Holden Racing Team lost ground on the championship frontrunners after drivers Mark Skaife and Todd Kelly each suffered mechanical dramas at the hairpin – resulting in significant damage and loss of position to Skaife – and heavily flatspotted tyres to Kelly. The only non-finisher was Paul Morris, who collided with Max Wilson at Turn Three resulting in damage to the front upright of the Sirromet Commodore.
