Cameron Waters brought the heat to the 2025 Sydney Supercars 500, completely dominating the weekend’s events, including clinching all three qualifying sessions and winning every race he competed in. Driving the #6 Ford Mustang for Tickford Racing, Waters showcased extraordinary skill and strategy, particularly during the deciding Race 3 held on February 25, 2025, at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Waters didn’t just win; he left his rivals trailing as he took the race by six seconds over the formidable Will Brown from Triple Eight Race Engineering, who had taken the second spot. Chaz Mostert, racing for Walkinshaw Andretti United, made impressive gains, overcoming starting from 10th to finish third.
“How awesome is this? Such a mega weekend and such an awesome way to start 2025,” exclaimed Waters after his historic feats. This sentiment encapsulated not just Waters’ thoughts but also the mood around Tickford Racing, as the team looked to build on this victorious momentum moving forward.
Waters kicked off the race weaving through early competition when Broc Feeney snatched the lead at the start. Nevertheless, Waters quickly recovered, showcasing remarkable control around the circuit. The opening laps saw tension grow as competitors jostled for position, particularly with the weather threatening to add layers of unpredictability.
Reflecting on the setup and performance of his car, Waters stated, “I knew they were going to be lying to me, they always do. Tell me what I want to hear. But I had a really good margin there, I could back it off with five to go and bring it home.” His confidence was not misplaced; the tuning and adjustments made during previous races evidently empowered his ability to navigate tricky conditions.
The race began with some drama but settled down after the initial skirmishes. Notably, the race unfolded with changing weather, prompting strategic timing of pit stops. Feeney, who initially challenged Waters for supremacy, opted to pit early, setting off a chain of tactical maneuvers as other racers adjusted their strategies. Waters responded almost immediately, preserving his lead as rain began to descend upon the track.
Despite becoming increasingly slick, Waters proved he could adapt to the conditions, adding to his burgeoning reputation. “The rain was actually nice; it cooled the cabin temperatures down,” he noted, acknowledging how the inclement weather worked to his advantage.
While Waters held the lead, the battle behind him intensified. Chaz Mostert made waves, climbing the ranks from 10th but faced challenges after incidents with other drivers, including some tight squeezes with Cooper Murray, who received penalties following contact during the race. Waters maintained his focus as the pack behind jostled for every point, with fierce competition lending drama to the exhausted spectators.
Waters orchestrated his victory with precision as he deftly navigated the circuit, staying several seconds clear of Brown and producing impressive lap times even as the rain fell. Just when it appeared Waters was unassailable, the contest behind him continued to evolve, with Mostert and Feeney embroiled in their own battle for the podium. At the race's conclusion, the results reflected how the drivers responded to the highly competitive atmosphere.
Despite the intense race dynamics, Waters led the pack from start to finish, reaffirming his position as the season frontrunner. The final results placed him firmly at the forefront of the drivers’ championship standings, with 300 points accumulated, a significant boost fueling confidence for the races to come.
Reflecting on his standout performance, Waters attributed much of the success to the hard work done during the offseason. “The hard work they’ve put in on the off-season has paid off. Just being able to back it up each race, having a fast car,” he stated. His ability to adapt and thrive under pressure clearly shone through as he remarked on the consistency of the team’s performance across various conditions.
Looking forward, matters will only heat up as the Supercars season continues with its next stop set at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix from March 13-16. Racing fans will undoubtedly keep their eyes fixed on Cameron Waters as he rides the wave of momentum from this victorious start.
The results for the Repco Supercars Championship Sydney 500 Race 3 summed up the furious competition and engaging atmosphere of the event:
Results:
1. Cameron Waters (Tickford Racing) - 52 laps completed
2. Will Brown (Triple Eight Race Engineering) - 6.286 seconds behind
3. Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw Andretti United) - 9.362 seconds behind
4. Brodie Kostecki (Dick Johnson Racing) - 11.476 seconds behind
5. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight Race Engineering) - 12.641 seconds behind
6. Matthew Payne (Brad Jones Racing) - 24.878 seconds behind
7. Anton De Pasquale (Dick Johnson Racing) - 31.462 seconds behind
8. James Golding (PremiAir Racing) - 32.486 seconds behind
9. Will Davison (Tickford Racing) - 34.729 seconds behind
10. Jack Le Brocq (Brad Jones Racing) - 35.966 seconds behind.