It was almost the farewell that never happened; with a pandemic and the government announcing the cancellation of the Adelaide round, it seemed the home of Holden would not see a fitting farewell.
Fast forward two years, a new government, an almighty effort by Supercars and major sponsors to bring the event back to the streets of Adelaide and the first race of the weekend delivered a Hollywood Finish.
In Holden’s final-ever round of racing in the city, it was founded, the former Holden Racing Team finished first and second in one of the most memorable races witnessed in the Repco Supercars Championship.
Walkinshaw Andretti United’s Chaz Mostert and Nick Percat (who started 20th) claimed the top two steps on the podium in front of Tickford Ford’s James Courtney, who was third. Courtney was the last winner for Walkinshaw in Adelaide in 2016.
Yesterday’s win was Walkinshaw’s 188th win in a Holden. Triple Eight Race Engineering has 189 wins in a Holden. If Mostert or Percat wins today, it would mean the two former factory teams finish equal on 189 victories for the Red Lion.
The final farewell for Holden will be this afternoon’s final race at the Adelaide 500, and whoever wins will go into the history books.
