Supercars: Will Davison holds off kiwi to win thriller in Auckland

Will Davison has won a thriller and denied local hero Andre Heimgartner in a gripping ITM Auckland SuperSprint opener.

Davison, who celebrated his 40th birthday last week, won for the third time this season for career victory 22. The Shell V-Power Racing Team driver last won in New Zealand in 2013.

Davison was forced to hang on after a late Safety Car, but Heimgartner was unable to overhaul the #17 Ford Mustang in front of a huge crowd at Pukekohe.

Pole-sitter Cam Waters finished third ahead of Chaz Mostert and Shane van Gisbergen.

Davison took home the maximum 105 points, having set the fastest lap of the race.

“I just wanted a straightforward run,” Davison said of the restart.

“I had to take a breath… it [the Safety Car] actually helped me, I cooled my front tires.

“Once I got the restart underway, I was quite relieved because the car was great.

“Thanks Pukekohe, thanks New Zealand, it’s an incredible stadium to be racing, really special.”

Davison and teammate Anton De Pasquale swooped on Waters off the line into Turn 1.

Behind them, a four-wide melee ended with Tim Slade and James Courtney sustaining damage.

Davison slowly began to open a gap as those behind battled for the minors.

Behind them, van Gisbergen pounced on De Pasquale and cleared the #17 Ford with a heart-stopping move.

Even with a late Safety Car, Heimgartner was unable to pressure Davison into a mistake.

It was Davison’s 22nd career win, and the second in a row for his team at Pukehohe.

Scott McLaughlin won the last race in September 2019 at the decorated Auckland venue.

Van Gisbergen will carry a reduced 493-point lead over Waters into Sunday.

Davison is just five points further in arrears, with De Pasquale now 533 points from the lead.

Drivers will send off Pukekohe on Sunday with two more 41-lap sprints on Sunday in front of a packed house at the famous New Zealand Raceway.

Race Results