Cam Waters has sensationally pipped Supercars rival Broc Feeney in the final seconds of the Sydney 500 to emerge victorious in the second sprint race of the season.
After losing his lead following a PremiAir Nulon Racing car fire early in Saturday's 200km sprint, pole-sitter Waters pulled off a masterclass drive to prevail at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Feeney was able to jump ahead of Waters in lap eight after his rival, on his way to leave, was stuck behind a pitting Will Brown.
Richie Stanaway's Chevrolet Camaro had caught on fire after a suspected engine failure, allowing the 25-strong grid to take an opportunistic pit stop under a safety car.
Waters then suffered another poorly executed garage visit in lap 36 and dropped out of the top three.
But the Tickford star refused to throw in the towel.
Overtaking competition heavyweights Will Brown and Chaz Mostert, Waters caught up to Feeney with six laps to go.
He sent Feeney off the track at turn four, allowing defending champion Brown into the top spot.
Brown lost the lead as Waters gave up his spot in an attempt to redress for his Feeney bump.
The Tickford driver was let off the hook by race stewards before again making contact with Feeney, running into his rear bar before receiving a hit himself from Brown.
Helped by a slipstream, Waters then went full-throttle as the finish line approached, winning by 0.0308 seconds.
"I was pushing the whole time," Waters said.
"I had to fight hard to get (first place) back and had a pretty epic battle."
Feeney cut a frustrated figure as he was made to accept defeat.
"It sucks to lose right at the end there," he said.
"I was just plucking gears and hoping I'd go faster.
"I think they (race stewards) have probably shown that they're going to let you race a bit harder this year, by the looks of it."
Enjoying his 17th career win from his 31st pole position, Waters leads the championship by 37 points.
Feeney at least walked away with his first top-three finish at the Sydney track, while Brown claimed his 13th straight event podium.
RACE TWO RESULTS:
1. Cam Waters (Tickford Racing)
2. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight Race Engineering)
3. Will Brown (Triple Eight)
4. Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw Andretti United)
5. Matt Payne (Grove Racing)
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:
1. Cam Waters (Tickford) 185pts
2. Chaz Mostert (WAU) -37
3. Will Brown (Triple Eight) -40
4. Matthew Payne (Grove) -52
5. Thomas Randle (Tickford)
