Reigning Bathurst 1000 champion Chaz Mostert has notched up his second victory of the Supercars season after saluting in the opening race of the Melbourne 400.
The Walkinshaw Andretti United star comfortably topped pole-sitter David Reynolds with an impressive drive at the Albert Park grand prix circuit.
Mostert capitalised on tyre dramas to Shell V-Power pair Will Davison and Anton De Pasquale to finish more than eight seconds ahead of Reynolds.
"I don't think many people expected the race to be what that was then," the Commodore driver said on Friday.
"Obviously strategy helped ... we went aggressive and it ended up being the safer option.
"I'm just happy because any time you win in this category it's amazing.
"We weren't that strong through practice and qualifying but the car is definitely getting faster and faster.
"After a tough round in Tasmania, it's just good to get a trophy for all the guys and girls at WAU."
However, Mostert was barely able to make a dent in defending Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen's early lead in the standings.
After starting from 25th and last, van Gisbergen put in a fearless drive to make up 22 places to secure a podium spot.
Van Gisbergen won four out of the first five races across events in Sydney and Tasmania to back up his dominant 2021 campaign.
It was a dirty race for Davison and De Pasquale, with the Ford teammates finishing 16th and 23rd respectively.
The pair will be hoping for better results when they start at the front of the grid for all remaining three races this weekend.
The Supercars will be back on track for two more sprint races on Saturday, before the finale for the weekend on Sunday morning ahead of the Formula One GP.
SUPERCARS MELBOURNE 400 RACE ONE:
1. Chaz Mostert (Holden)
2. David Reynolds (Ford)
3. Shane van Gisbergen (Holden)
4. Tim Slade (Ford)
5. Nick Percat (Holden).
