Steve Owen claims final Dunlop Series race

Steve Owen managed to hold off Taz Douglas to end his season on a high by taking victory in the final Dunlop Development Series race of the year.

The experienced former double series champion kept his head through a lengthy safety car period to lead home Taz Douglas and Jack Perkins in a lively season finale at Sydney Olympic Park.

There was drama even before the race begun as polesitter Ash Walsh stopped on the formation lap and was unable to take the start.

But there was worse to come as four cars were involved in two incidents that brought out the safety car on the opening lap.

Owen led the field unchallenged into the first corner from Perkins but a slow starting Rodney Jane made contact with Marcus Zukanovic sending the #71 Ford hard into the wall on the start/finish straight.

Seconds later Michael Hector and Aaron Tebb touched at the first corner sending both cars into the wall.

Extensive damage to the barriers provided a long Safety Car period but when racing resumed on lap seven Owen held off Perkins at the restart.

As Owen began to open up a slight lead, Douglas capitalised on a mistake from Perkins to move into second spot.

Behind, there was plenty of action as an almighty eight car battle for sixth position developed, headed by Cameron Waters and Dale Wood.

The newly crowned Dunlop Series champion Wood managed to force his way through to claim the position.

In the end, Owen proved to be too strong and he claimed the final win of the season by 1.3s from Douglas and Perkins.

Andrew Jones, Chris Pither and Wood rounded out the top six while Casey Stoner finished potentially his final race ahead of taking a sabbatical in ninth position.

See below for full results Dunlop Series Race 2