Haynes converts pole to win Race 1 at Winton

Herzog Steel Mustang driver Josh Haynes has widened his championship lead in the 2024 TFH Hire Muscle Car Series framed by HYTEK Steel Framing, following his Race 1 victory in Round 5 at Winton Motor Raceway at the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series.

Haynes scored his third Kubota Pole Award of the year, from Gartner and TFH Racing’s Josh Thomas. Thomas scored his best qualifying effort in third. Mark Bailey and Aaron Prosser also delivered impressive shootout performances in fourth and fifth, Prosser in only his second TA2 event.

Haynes lead the field away into turn one from Gartner and Thomas, while Graham Cheney moved up three spots to eighth. 

Mark Bailey, Aaron Prosser and Mark Crutcher found themselves in a feisty mudpack battle. Prosser attempted to make a pass under brakes at Turn 3 when he spun out on the exit, ultimately finishing in 18th place.

Gartner closed in on Haynes in the final stages of the race but ultimately, Haynes took the win from Gartner, with Thomas 15 seconds behind in a solid third position. 

Steve Wilson in the #3 Wilson Auto Sports Chevrolet Camaro pulled off on lap two with a driveline issue, while Hayden Jackson dropped down the order stuck in gear.

The TFH Hire TA2 Muscle Car Series Framed by Hytek Steel Framing returns for Races 2, 3 and 4 tomorrow at Winton Motor Raceway. All the action is live on SBS On Demand, Fox and Kayo. 

QUOTES

Josh Haynes, #37 Herzog Steel Ford Mustang

“Really good first day in the Herzog Steel Mustang. Qualified first and then pushed that through to the shootout. The car feels good. 

“We got a really good start in the first race. I put the head down, built a nice gap and then was struggling with a bit of a vibration in the car and then a bit of the setup.

“It was a good battle at the end there with Brad. Well done to him. Good to put on a show for the crowd, so hopefully we come back tomorrow and put on another good show.”

Brad Gartner, #22 Hi-Tec Oils Chevrolet Camaro

“Really good race. I think the first four laps was just probably a bit on me. The car's really good, we know that. We were just saying with the team, the car doesn't automatically get better halfway around the track, so we're really good in the middle sector. First and last need cleaning up, but the race car's really fast, so can't wait for tomorrow. 

“I think the car didn't really go off. Josh and I did really good lap times. Josh was the same, so it seems fine at the moment.

“I think just getting the first four laps, getting on top of that myself as a driver and we’ll keep pushing on.”