Reigning champion Chaz Mostert is the first to punch a ticket to Sandown courtesy of a dominant victory in the Surfers Paradise opener.
Seven of the 10 Finals contenders finished the rain-hit 250km race inside the top 10.
The three who did not – Kai Allen, Ryan Wood and Jack Le Brocq – are now in danger of being eliminated following Sunday’s race.
Allen has dropped into the elimination zone after finishing in last place after being forced into a third pit stop for a new battery.
Wood was just 14th having struggled for speed throughout, while Le Brocq finished 22nd after being spun early by Cam Hill.
Matt Payne continues to lead the standings following a third place finish in today’s race, but is not yet locked in despite his gap to the cut-line.
That’s due to the ‘win and-you’re in’ provision that will again be in play on Sunday.
Action at the Gold Coast 500 continues on Sunday with qualifying at 11:20am AEST followed by the Top 10 Shootout at 12:05pm AEST. Race 2 of the weekend is slated for 2:45pm AEST.
Repco Supercars Championship points after Gold Coast 500, Race 1
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
1
Matt Payne
Grove Racing
3277
2
Broc Feeney
Triple Eight Race Engineering
-55
3
Will Brown
Triple Eight Race Engineering
-75
4
Chaz Mostert (advanced)
Walkinshaw TWG Racing
-88
5
Brodie Kostecki
Dick Johnson Racing
-90
6
Anton De Pasquale
Team 18
-112
7
Cam Waters
Tickford Racing
-136
Elimination line
8
Kai Allen
Grove Racing
-189
9
Ryan Wood
Walkinshaw TWG Racing
-196
10
Jack Le Brocq
Matt Stone Racing
-230