David Reynolds and co-driver Dean Canto were left to rue a slow final pitstop after missing out on career first podium finishes in the Dick Smith Sandown 500.

Canto, a former two-time winner of the V8 Supercars Development Series, was one of several co-drivers to sparkle during the opening half of the race, leading 30 laps before handing the Ford Performance Racing-prepared Falcon over to Reynolds.

Emerging third from the mid-race pitstop cycle, Reynolds held the position through the third stint to enter the final round of stops within five seconds of the race lead, before losing any chance of a career-best result when a slow brake pad change cost six places.

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Having recovered to sixth during the final 45 laps, Reynolds was left with mixed emotions.

“The day was okay but we could’ve finished a lot better,” he surmised.

“Dean ‘smashed it’ by starting second and bringing the car in first. The only issue was he smashed the dashboard display when he got out so I couldn’t read the display while I was driving.

“At the last stop we had an issue fitting the brake pads and lost enough time to drop out of the podium spots.

“We didn’t lack much today so while I am disappointed I know we are going really well.”

Canto was also disappointed with the late issue, but could be more than pleased with his own performance.

He said of his race: “There was a little hiccup at the start and I bogged down and lost a place and then after that I settled down in third and piled the pressure on and got second place.

“We pitted early (on the first round of stops) and I did as many consistent laps as I could, (but) the tyres hurt near the end of my stint and I couldn’t maintain the gap in the lead before I handed it over to Dave.

“We performed as well as we could though the 10 seconds we lost in the pit stop hurt us so we could wonder what might’ve been. We’re already looking to Bathurst.”