De Pasquale delivers drought-breaking Darwin victory for Team 18

Anton De Pasquale used an aggressive strategy to win Race 19 and return Chevrolet to the winners’ circle.

The Team 18 driver started third and settled behind Cam Waters and Matt Payne. Waters won the launch and led the opening lap, while De Pasquale forced his way past Broc Feeney at Turn 1.

Credit: Samuel Densley Photography

Waters and Payne pulled clear, but the Penrite Racing driver became increasingly competitive as the stint developed. On Lap 16, Payne made a move down the inside of Waters at Turn 1 to take the race lead.

De Pasquale and Team 18 then changed the race with an early stop on Lap 18. By taking less fuel, the DEWALT Camaro completed a shorter service and gained significant time through the undercut.

Waters stopped one lap later before Payne followed on Lap 20. When the leading group returned to the circuit, De Pasquale had jumped both Fords and moved into the effective lead. Payne also fell behind Waters after hesitating during his pit-lane release.

Payne eventually reclaimed second from Waters with another Turn 1 pass, but De Pasquale had already created an advantage of three seconds at the front.

The leading drivers completed their final stops late in the race, with Payne pitting on Lap 43 and De Pasquale responding one lap later. The Camaro required a longer service because of its shorter opening fill, reducing the margin considerably, but De Pasquale remained ahead.

Payne closed to within eight-tenths of a second before De Pasquale responded and began rebuilding the gap. Behind them, Waters faced heavy pressure from Feeney following his final stop.

The battle for third intensified when Feeney briefly passed Waters following contact at Turn 7. The Red Bull Ampol Racing driver returned the position, allowing Waters to hold the final podium place and secure the Darwin Triple Crown.

De Pasquale’s victory was confirmed when Chaz Mostert suffered a dramatic engine failure on Lap 67. The incident brought out the Safety Car, and the final three laps were completed without the race returning to green.

Payne finished second ahead of Waters, while Will Brown and Feeney completed the top five. Saturday winner Kai Allen charged from 12th to finish sixth, followed by Ryan Wood, Jack Le Brocq, Cameron Hill and David Reynolds.

The result delivered Chevrolet its first victory since February and gave Team 18 multiple wins in a single Supercars season for the first time.