A controversial final lap move saw Sheldon Creed snatch victory from Paul Morris in the opening Stadium Super Trucks heat at Townsville.
Creed had been lying in second spot heading into the final lap before he threw his truck down the inside of Morris at the final corner of the last lap.
The two trucks made contact which allowed Creed to slip into the lead to take the chequered flag.
Morris managed to avoid spinning his truck following the contact to come home in second, while a solid drive saw Matthew Brabham claim third.
The inaugural race for the category on the Townsville streets provided plenty of action.
Former IndyCar driver EJ Viso initially broke away from pole position with Robby Gordon, running a Matt Mingay Hot Wheels liveried truck, in second.
Morris quickly surged from the final row of the grid to third bringing Creed with him, while Brabham made rapid progress to fifth.
The positions remained unchanged until the mandatory competition caution halfway through the 10 lap contest.
Viso lost the lead to Gordon once racing resumed following a heated battle for the position.
Morris took advantage of the scrap and soon launched a successful attack for the lead with two laps remaining.
Moments later Viso’s podium hopes were shattered when he misjudged a jump on the start/finish straight that saw him fall down the order.
Gordon also hit trouble when a mechanical issue forced him into retirement.
Viso and Gordon’s demise set the stage for the grandstand finish between Creed and Morris.
Further back Arie Luyendyk Jr came home in fourth ahead of Greg Gartner, Todd Romano and Bill Hynes.
The Stadium Super Trucks return to action on Saturday for Race 2 at 1030 local time.
V8 Utes Racing Series
Ryal Harris topped the times in practice as he made an impressive return to the V8 Utes Racing Series at Townsville.
The three-time series winner emerged quickest in both practice sessions with his quickest 1:26.78s effort arriving in the opening hit out.
Harris, driving as a replacement for Kris Walton at RGS Racing, was 0.2s faster than his nearest rival Nathan Pretty.
Pretty’s Commodore edged Craig Dontas to second by just 0.03s, while Kim Jane, Jeremy Gray and Ryan Hansford completed the top six.
The top six all posted their quickest times in the early morning session.
Former Supercars full-timer Steve Owen ended the day in seventh as he makes a one-off appearance in the series this weekend.
Mason Barbera, series leader David Sieders and Gerard McLeod rounded out the top 10.
Qualifying for the V8 Utes Racing Series will begin at 0955 local time on Saturday ahead of Race 1 at 1340.
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