Brodie Kostecki is closing in on a maiden championship crown after clinching provisional pole for the penultimate race of the Supercars season.
It took the Erebus driver until the last lap to clock the fastest qualifying time on Friday, pipping David Reynolds (Penrite Racing) by 0.011 seconds with a lap time of one minute 19.046 seconds.
Kostecki was visibly relieved, having struggled in the practice sessions leading up to qualifying.
"To be honest, I was actually unsure of where I was ... once I got told halfway through that I was pole, I was pretty shocked," Kostecki said.
"Obviously, (the championship) is what every team down pit lane strives to do.
"To even be in contention this round, it's like a dream come true."
The 26-year-old was ninth in P1 before improving his pace to finish sixth in P2.
With just a 131-point buffer between him and reigning champion Shane van Gisbergen, Kostecki will need to take out the weekend's two 250km races to clinch the title.
Van Gisbergen has also improved from poor performances across the practice sessions, finishing fourth in qualifying after he was well down the track in P1.
"Not the best day for me, unfortunately," van Gisbergen said.
"I still don't feel comfortable in the car, but we've made tomorrow's shootout so that's a box we needed to tick.
"We'll review everything tonight, work hard with the crew and focus on the shootout and the race tomorrow."
It won't just be van Gisbergen looking to spoil Kostecki's party, with Ford Mustang drivers out to replicate their Gold Coast success.
Following adjustments to the cars' rear wing, side skirt and front fascia element to reduce drag, Tickford's Cam Waters took out the first Gold Coast race before Reynolds outduelled Kostecki to finish the round.
Just four Chavrolet Camaros crossed the line for the top 10 shootout after a dominant performance by the Mustangs in qualifying.
The grid will be decided by the top 10 shootout at 12.35pm (AEDT) on Saturday before race 27 begins at 3.20 (AEDT).
Drivers will have another practice session at 10.15 (AEDT) before heading into the shootout.
RACE 27 QUALIFYING RESULTS:
1. Brodie Kostecki (Erebus Motorsport) 1:19.046
2. David Reynolds (Penrite Racing) +0.011
3. Matthew Payne (Penrite Racing) +0.028
4. Shane van Gisbergen (Triple Eight) +0.162
5. Thomas Randle (Tickford Racing) +0.180
