ZAK Best should be at the top of the list for any team entering the Supercars silly season.
That’s the view of his Super2 team boss Michael Anderson, who is halfway towards winning the second-tier title thanks to the Benalla jet.
Best was Super2 runner-up to Broc Feeney in 2021 and Declan Fraser in 2022, and made main game history last year with his wildcard pole position at Tailem Bend. Nevertheless, he lost out to Fraser in the race to replace Jake Kostecki at Tickford Racing in the off-season.
Now confirmed as James Courtney’s co-driver for the upcoming Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000, Best is throwing everything at a full-time spot in the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship – whether that’s with Tickford or elsewhere.
Besides Tickford, the likes of Triple Eight Race Engineering, Walkinshaw Andretti United and Team 18 among others are thought to be scouring the market.
“I definitely think that Zak has certainly shown enough credentials to be in the main game,” Anderson told V8 Sleuth.
“He’s quick enough, handles himself very well on and off the track.
“He’s the best option for a main game seat – there’s no one who’s had more seat time than him, he’s showing again this year that he has got the speed and is not really making mistakes.
“Any seat that should become available, he should be the first option to be looked at.”
Those are sentiments which have been shared by his experienced engineer Brendan Hogan.
Anderson has worked with plenty of talented youngsters in recent years, including Fraser and Jayden Ojeda.
“We’ve had some good drivers through AMS before. I think Zak is as good as at least three-quarters of the drivers in main game currently,” he added.
Best recovered nicely from 19th to eighth in the Townsville opener last weekend after an untimely red flag ruined his qualifying.
He backed that up by chasing down Kai Allen to win Race 2 and ensure he takes a 66-point lead over the teen sensation into Round 4 at Sandown.
“I’m pretty chuffed to come away after Townsville and actually keep the orange numbers on,” said Best.
Of the bigger picture, he was unequivocal.
“I’m definitely trying to do absolutely everything I can and tick every box just to make sure I show everyone I’m ready to step up and mean business,” said the 21-year-old.
“Stepping up next year is the absolute goal for me so I’m doing absolutely everything I can and attending all of the rounds and just sitting in, listening, soaking up everything I can, very similar to what Declan did (at Triple Eight) last year.
“I’m just looking to do a better job and finish the championship off and the rest of it should take care of itself.”
