Frosty quietly confident at AGP after another big charge

Mark Winterbottom is quietly confident with a “decent” car ahead of a big Friday race in Melbourne, following another spirited charge in Race 3.

The Team 18 veteran will launch from fourth on the grid in Friday’s Race 4, behind pole-sitter Cam Waters and the two Red Bull Ampol Racing drivers.

Winterbottom looms as a smokey for victory on Friday, given his charge from 20th to 11th in just 18 laps on Thursday.

The 2015 champion, who has seven wins at Albert Park, has struggled with one-lap pace this season, yet has made up significant ground in all three races.

He is now armed with track position off the line on Friday, having driven through the field in all three races so far this season.

"It was a pretty good day, really. We rolled out in practice really strong and then didn't get it right for the first quali and then the next one we qualified fourth, so a mixed qualifying effort,” said Winterbottom, who is eyeing off his first Larry Perkins Trophy win.

"We put ourselves 20th, which always is hard with no pit stops and all that sort of stuff, the only way you can get people is to pass cars, so we got nine cars and had really good pace and drove through the field a fair bit.

“It was good to pass so many cars but it'd be nice to not have to pass anyone and lead from the front, so we're only passing them because we put ourselves out of position.

“I feel we made the most of a bad situation. It was a good hit out to see what sort of car we have, and I think it's decent.

"We can still tune it up, but we have to be careful because when you go chasing something you can lose strength in other areas and not go any faster.

"We'll have a look at data and tweak it without reinventing it and have another crack tomorrow.”

Race 4 will commence at 2:55pm AEST in Melbourne.