Friday, 14 September 2018:
GUIDE TO THE SANDOWN 500
The traditional lead-in race to the Bathurst 1000 takes place on Sunday at Sandown Raceway in Melbourne.
The Sandown 500 gets a fraction of Bathurst's attention but has the same amount of points on the line and the title-chasers know it.
Fluctuating weather and a red-hot title race should mean the 2018 edition of the 500-kilometre classic is a vintage edition.
KEY PAIRINGS
Car No.1 - Jamie Whincup and Paul Dumbrell (Holden)
The two best credentialed drivers from their categories come together in the ZB Commodore, with the best speed in practice. Last year a puncture cost the team. The year before, Dumbrell's early seatbelt slip. Without those mishaps they're the team to beat.
Car No.17 - Scott McLaughlin and Alex Premat (Ford)
DJR Team Penske's championship hopeful reunites with France's ex-Supercars man in an effort to maintain the title charge. McLaughlin is just 19 points behind van Gisbergen in the title race, with a second-placed finish here last year.
Car No.55 - Chaz Mostert and James Moffat (Ford)
Wet-weather specialist Mostert could be the wildcard this weekend. Last year's Enduro Cup-winning driver with Steve Owen, Mostert has picked up former full-time driver James Moffat and should be near the front.
Car No.9 - David Reynolds and Luke Youlden (Holden)
The Bathurst champions reunite during Reynolds' best Supercars season in a Holden. The Erebus man is the top driver outside a leading team after a series of top-10 finishes and wins in Melbourne and Darwin.
Car No.97 - Shane van Gisbergen and Earl Bamber (Holden)
Series leader van Gisbergen hasn't claimed a race win at Sandown and has recruited countryman Bamber to do so. Bamber has two Le Mans wins under his belt and if he can adjust to the series, will be stiff competition.
Car No.888 - Craig Lowndes and Steven Richards (Holden)
Lowndes' farewell tour continues with his last visit as a main game driver to Sandown. Showed Friday speed and with 10 Bathurst wins between them, shouldn't be counted out.
FORMAT
The qualifying races on Saturday (11:40am, 1:40pm and 4:15pm) set the grid for Sunday's 500km race from 1:20pm.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Shane van Gisbergen (Holden) - 2778
2. Scott McLaughlin (Ford) - 2759
3. Jamie Whincup (Holden) - 2416
4. Craig Lowndes (Holden) - 2229
5. David Reynolds (Holden) - 2213
6. Fabian Coulthard (Ford) - 1922
