Tickford star Cam Waters has kicked off a new Supercars era with a blistering sprint win as Triple Eight endured a nightmare outing at the Sydney 500.
Dominant all Friday, Waters pulled off a perfect drive from pole position to take the chequered flag at Sydney Motorsport Park for his 16th career win.
So impressive was Waters in his first victory at the Sydney track, he enjoyed a 16.849-second buffer over second-placed Walkinshaw Andretti United star Chaz Mostert.
The Tickford ace launched himself to the top of the standings in the inaugural Sprint Cup series, the first phase of three in the massive format revamp which will end in a final series.
His teammate Thomas Randle rounded out the podium after he outmanoeuvred Grove Racing's Matt Payne late in the race.
Victory marked a welcome early season transformation for Waters, who did not post a race win until round 10 last season.
"Last year, I had wheels falling off. I was crook. It was pretty bad," Waters said.
"Obviously, it's just one race, and it's not a full points race either, but it's great we had fast cars tonight.
"It's a great way to start the year and the weekend. Just got to make sure we keep moving."
Triple Eight young gun Broc Feeney looked primed to get the jump on the pole-sitter at the starting gun, but Waters was clinical on the inside.
A punctured left-rear wheel in lap 12 forced Feeney to relinquish his hold on second place, with the 22-year-old slumping to a disappointing finish in 14th.
"I had the tiniest moment out of (turn) three and my rear tyres fell over the edge," Feeney said.
"As I've come back on, it's just completely shredded it to pieces and I got a flat.
"Stupid little mistakes cost us."
Feeney's Triple Eight teammate and defending champion Will Brown suffered a similar misfortune with his tyres.
Brown had been made to accept a sub-standard starting position in 11th after locking up his tyres in qualifying, but was able to at least climb to fifth.
Brodie Kostecki was sixth in his first race in the Dick Johnson Racing car after qualifying fourth.
PremiAir Racing driver James Golding's tough week continued, finishing 22nd after starting 24th.
After his car was engulfed by fire in testing earlier in the week, Golding's blistering qualifying lap was cut short after he was caught up behind Brad Jones Racing's Macauley Jones.
Jones was forced to the back of the pack after accepting a three-grid car penalty for impending Golding.
RACE ONE RESULTS:
1. Cam Waters (Tickford Racing)
2. Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw Andretti United)
3. Thomas Randle (Tickford)
4. Matt Payne (Grove Racing)
5. Will Brown (Triple Eight Race Engineering)
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:
1. Cam Waters (Tickford Racing) 60pts
2. Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw Andretti United) -5pts
3. Thomas Randle (Tickford) -9pts
4. Matt Payne (Grove Racing) -13pts
5. Will Brown (Triple Eight Race Engineering) -17pts
