Gerard McLeod claimed his maiden V8 Utes round win with a lights-to-flag victory in the final race of the Sandown 500 weekend.
The Victorian was never headed in a hotly contested encounter as he fended off Andrew Fisher in a race long tussle.
McLeod’s hopes were dented when the Safety Car was deploy midway through the race to recover Ben Grice, who was punted into the Turn 9 gravel trap by Jeremy Gray.
Despite the interruption, McLeod judged the restart to perfection to retain his lead over Fisher which he maintained to the chequered flag.
Championship leader Ryal Harris held third for the majority of the race, but the Gold Coast driver lost the position to George Miedecke shortly after the restart.
Harris tried to fight back but Miedecke went on to secure the final spot on the podium.
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Nathan Pretty edged Ryan Hansford to fifth while Craig Dontas, Race 1 winner Kris Walton, David Sieders and Adam Beechey completed the top 10.
Dunlop Series regular Todd Hazelwood ended his Utes debut on a positive note with a 12th place finish.
However, there was drama for title contender Adam Marjoram as a mechanical issue saw him come home in a lowly 23rd position.
McLeod and Fisher finished the meeting tied on points but the former’s victory in the final race gave him the round win.
The V8 Utes return to action at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 from October 8-11.
Result: V8 Utes Racing Series Race 3, Sandown
| 1 | RYCO 24-7 / ABC Towing | Gerard McLeod (Vic) | Holden Commodore VE | 10 | 15:17.0341 |
| 2 | Jesus Racing | Andrew Fisher (NSW) | Ford Falcon FG | 10 | 15:17.3587 |
| 3 | iSeek Racing / ees | George Miedecke (NSW) | Ford Falcon FG | 10 | 15:17.7836 |
| 4 | Holiday For Life | Ryal Harris (Qld) | Ford Falcon FG | 10 | 15:18.1525 |
| 5 | Burbank Racing | Nathan Pretty (Vic) | Holden Commodore VE | 10 | 15:19.6683 |
| 6 | Multispares Racing | Ryan Hansford (Qld) | Ford Falcon FG | 10 | 15:20.3690 |
| 7 | JustCar Insurance/KittenRacing | Craig Dontas (SA) | Holden Commodore VE | 10 | 15:21.0051 |
| 8 | Rentco Racing | Kris Walton (Qld) | Ford Falcon FG | 10 | 15:21.2921 |
| 9 | Mango Credit | David Sieders (NSW) | Holden Commodore VE | 10 | 15:22.2527 |
| 10 | Team Kleen Racing /Kleen Group | Adam Beechey (Tas) | Holden Commodore VE | 10 | 15:23.4879 |
| 11 | BobJaneT-Marts/AlfenzoTyres/Sh | Kim Jane (Vic) | Holden Commodore VE | 10 | 15:23.8376 |
| 12 | All Purpose Pest Control | Todd Hazelwood (SA) | Ford Falcon FG | 10 | 15:23.9905 |
| 13 | Slideways/ GoKarting Australia | Cam Wilson (Qld) | Ford Falcon FG | 10 | 15:27.0522 |
| 14 | JMG Racing | Jeremy Gray (NSW) | Ford Falcon FG | 10 | 15:27.3764 |
| 15 | Western General Body Works | Danny Buzadzic (Vic) | Ford Falcon FG | 10 | 15:27.8350 |
| 16 | Skyreack / Shamick Racing | Leigh Nicolaou (Vic) | Holden Commodore VE | 10 | 15:27.8367 |
| 17 | Cetnaj Electrical Supplies | Peter Burnitt (Qld) | Ford Falcon FG | 10 | 15:28.5766 |
| 18 | Nandi Kiss Racing | Nandi Kiss (NSW) | Holden Commodore VE | 10 | 15:28.7862 |
| 19 | OAKLANDS BUILT | Bruce Oaklands (NSW) | Ford Falcon FG | 10 | 15:35.3433 |
| 20 | Gulf Western Oil / EFI Spares | Richard Mork (NSW) | Ford Falcon FG | 10 | 15:36.5135 |
| 21 | RED Express / AirRoad | Charlie Kovacs (SA) | Holden Commodore VE | 10 | 15:50.9152 |
| 22 | GlenmoreParkPlumbing/HindeTran | Ben Grice (Qld) | Holden Commodore VE | 9 | 15:29.6249 |
| 23 | Auto One / Erebus Motorsport | Adam Marjoram (WA) | Holden Commodore VE | 9 | 15:49.3923 |
| DNF | Australian Conveyor Racing | Noel Edge (SA) | Ford Falcon FG | 3 | 4:31.1113 |
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