Nick Percat staged a grandstand finish to grab a last lap win in Race 1 of the final Carrera Cup round at Surfers Paradise.
Percat ended up beating Richards, who had seized command of the race from the start with Michael Patrizi claiming third position.
Craig Baird, who went into the heat with a led of 103.5 points, could have sealed the Championship crown in the race however those celebrations have now been put on hold until tomorrow.
After qualifying third Baird was forced to start from seventh after receiving a grid penalty for not returning to parc ferme after qualifying.
Baird managed a pass on Shane Smollen however sixth was to be where the Jet travel driver ended up at the finish of 12 laps.
The Porsche ace, who is celebrating his 50th round in the one-make series, has two 14-lap races tomorrow to claim a fifth Carrera Cup title.
It was the fourth win of the season by the Coates Hire-backed Percat who now moves into second in the Championship.
“It’s always great racing with Steven Richards; you always know that he races fair,” Percat said.
“We had a great battle and it was extremely hard to get past him for the win.
“I’ve had pole positions and race wins this season, but I haven’t had a round win yet.”
Shae Davies, who will move into the Andy McElrea stable next year, claimed fourth ahead of Warren Luff.
See below for full Race 1 results
| 1 | Coates Hire Racing | Nick Percat (SA) | 16:06.5692 | 12 |
| 2 | Laser Plumbing & Electrical | Steven Richards (VIC) | 16:07.0067 | 12 |
| 3 | Ausdrill – Onsite Racing | Michael Patrizi (WA) | 16:09.5284 | 12 |
| 4 | Davbridge Constructions | Shae Davies (QLD) | 16:11.3403 | 12 |
| 5 | No Second Chance/Phase 8 | Warren Luff (NSW) | 16:12.3984 | 12 |
| 6 | Jet Travel Insurance | Craig Baird (NZL) | 16:12.7955 | 12 |
| 7 | Team BRM/Rentcorp Property | Duvashen Padayachee NSW | 16:20.3191 | 12 |
| 8 | McGrath Estate Agents | Shane Smollen (NSW) | 16:22.9387 | 12 |
| 9 | Rosche Visper | Damien Flack (QLD) | 16:23.2518 | 12 |
| 10 | Permagard Automotive | Max Twigg (VIC) | 16:27.0871 | 12 |
| 11 | Grove Group | Stephen Grove (VIC) | 16:27.4154 | 12 |
| 12 | AFS/N2C | Tony Bates (VIC) | 16:27.7358 | 12 |
| 13 | Porsche Centre Brighton | James Bergmuller (VIC) | 16:31.5970 | 12 |
| 14 | Hallmarc | Michael Loccisano (VIC) | 16:35.1834 | 12 |
| 15 | Objective Racing | Tony Walls (NSW) | 16:38.5827 | 12 |
| 16 | Fujitsu Racing | Renee Gracie (QLD) | 16:38.5846 | 12 |
| DNF | Hallmarc | Marc Cini (VIC) | 1:50.4026 | 1 |
| DNF | Paul Kelly Motor Group | Paul Kelly (NZL) |
