After a qualifying session that left him last on the grid for Saturday's Supercars race in South Australia, a pre-race gamble paid off big time for Holden's Nick Percat.
On a wet track and facing a mammoth task, Percat made the bold call to start the race on slick tyres and not wet-weather ones like most of the field.
Safely navigating the opening lap, Percat came into his own as a dry line emerged on The Bend Motorsport Park circuit, and he climbed steadily through the field.
By the time the rest of the drivers had completed their pit stops, Percat was 27 seconds in front when he made his mandatory stop.
It meant he emerged firmly in contention for an unlikely podium finish, although a late mistake while battling with Ford's Anton De Pasquale meant he had to settle for fifth.
Despite missing out on the places, it was still a brilliant result after where he started.
"Once it all turned on and hooked up and went, the thing was a jet," Percat told AAP.
"It was pretty mega there and just bought me time at the start of the stint because I knew I wanted to go quite long. Yeah, it was good."
While many in the Supercars paddock will be hoping for improved conditions for Sunday's two races at Tailem Bend, Percat says Saturday's experience has him confident he can be a contender if the rain remains.
"Those conditions, they suit me quite well," he said. "I love a slick on a greasy track, when it's drying.
"I don't know, it really works with me quite well."
The Bend SuperSprint wraps up on Sunday with two more 24-lap races.
