Supercars: Van Gisbergen clean sweeps Saturday races in Melbourne

Defending Repco Supercars Champion Shane van Gisbergen has likened his Red Bull Commodore to a jet after winning his 60th career race this afternoon at the Beaurepaires Melbourne 400.

It was his second win of the day and extended his points lead to 186 points over Anton De Pasquale after eight races in 2022.

The 32-year-old kiwi outlasted the Ford Mustang duo of Will Davison and David Reynolds to secure victory in Race 8 and put himself in a commanding position to win his first Larry Perkins Trophy.

For the second time in as many rounds, van Gisbergen used minor contact to clear the #17 of Will Davison to take the race lead.

From there, van Gisbergen was imperious as he marched to career victory No. 60, and his sixth of 2022.

“Man, my car is a jet,” he said.

“I can’t thank everyone at Red Bull Ampol Racing enough, so enjoyable this weekend.

“I was just pushing and pushing… some good racing, this track’s good for racing and passing.”

Pole-sitter Anton De Pasquale, who has had a tough weekend of racing so far, slumped to fourth after making an early race error.

The Shell V-Power #11 Mustang driver was quickest off the start and led through Turns 1 and 2, with Reynolds demoting van Gisbergen to fourth. On lap 4, De Pasquale ceded the lead to teammate Davison after he locked up and ran off the track at Turn 1.

The Beaurepaires Melbourne 400 will conclude with Race 9 on Sunday and the driver who has accumulated the most points over the weekend’s four races will win the Larry Perkins Trophy.

Van Gisbergen leads David Reynolds by 12 points, with Tim Slade a surprise 61 points behind.

Mostert is 65 points adrift, having lost ground after he was penalized over an incident in Race 7.

Van Gisbergen can seal the trophy with a finish of second or better on Sunday should Reynolds win.

Melbourne Race 3 Results