Brodie Kostecki has fired a warning to his Supercars rivals, saving his best for last to top the final Tasmania Super 440 practice.
Dick Johnson Racing star Kostecki navigated Symmons Plains Raceway best to clock a lap time of 50.948 seconds in Friday's second of two practice sessions.
He pipped reigning Bathurst 1000 winner Matt Payne by 0.010 seconds, with PremiAir Racing rookie Jayden Ojeda a further 0.037 seconds behind in third.
With three sprint races up for grabs this weekend, Kostecki is out to reclaim the championship lead from last year's runner-up Broc Feeney.
Kostecki boasts five race wins against Feeney's (925 points) three, but gave up the series lead after a dramatic conclusion to last round's finale in New Zealand.