Holden discovers an unlikely hero in Anton de Pasquale as driver proves serious thorn in Ford’s side
Holden driver Anton de Pasquale has proved quite a surprise packet as he elbowed his way past several Fords and on to his first podium finish at Phillip Island.
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A new hope emerged for Holden on Sunday when Anton de Pasquale gave Ford a Phillip Island fight.
Stepping up to lead the Commodore charge as the struggle continued for the Red Bull Holden Racing Team, de Pasquale powered his way to a podium to become the unlikely hero for Holden.
Stepping out of the shadows to announce himself as a future force, the Erebus Motorsport driver beat four Fords to claim third place as the DJR/Team Penske show rolled on with Fabian Coulthard edging out Scott McLaughlin for the win.
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Erebus owner Betty Klimenko, all pinked haired and heavily tattooed, cried tears of joy as Pasquale powered home to score his first ever Supercars podium.
“It is an awesome moment,’’ de Pasquale said.
“It was obviously great to qualify in fourth and that set it all up. I nailed the start and was able to follow the Penske boys for most of the race.
“The team had a great strategy and it is a credit for them and this is a result they all deserve.’’
With most Holden fans looking to Shane van Gisbergen and Jamie Whincup to hit-back after Ford locked out the Phillip Island podium in race one, de Pasquale produced the drive of his life conquer the other Commodores.
De Pasquale was asked to save fuel in the closing stages of the race in a nervous moment with his first podium finish on the line.
“Will (Davison) was starting to catch me with about 10 laps to go,’’ de Pasquale said.
“I got the message to save fuel not long after that and obviously I was very nervous trying to save fuel and also go fast when I was headed for my first podium.
“But it all worked out in the head and I think we will have a decent celebration now.’’
Also beating his high profile teammate Dave Reynolds, De Pasquale proved to be the only Holden hope on another day of domination for Ford.
Despite having to readjust their “centre of gravity’’ after a Supercars test revealed the Mustang had an unfair advantage during the first six races of the year, Ford claimed five of the top six spots on Sunday.
It was another forgettable day for the all conquering Red Bull’s with both van Gisbergen and Whincup failing to respond to the race one beating that DJR/Team Penske delivered with a one-two.
Out to claw back points and reignite the championship fight, both van Gisbergen and Whincup drifted further back as Coulthard and McLaughlin flew at the front to make it a back-to-back one-two for Penske.
Van Gisbergen finished 7th while Whincup failed to crack the top 10.
Having fought McLaughlin to the death last year, van Gisbergen is now 256 points behind the Ford driver in the fight for the championship.
Originally published as Holden discovers an unlikely hero in Anton de Pasquale as driver proves serious thorn in Ford’s side