David Reynolds shot to the top of the times in the dying seconds of the third practice session at the Sydney NRMA Motoring & Services 500.

Reynolds’ Bottle-O Falcon inched out Championship leader Jamie Whincup’s Commodore by just 0.13sec, recording a 1min28.3367 as the chequered flag dropped.

“The car was terrible this morning but we made a lot of changes,” Reynolds said.

“I am ok, I run a better set of tyres that session, but then most people probably did to do those times, just that my set might have been better.

“I am not over-excited, but it’s another step.

“I might run greens in the last session, but time is the big issue.”

The top 12 cars were separated by just 0.5sec, the first of the ‘28s’ recorded in the day’s third session.

Will Davison holds the qualifying lap record at the Sydney Olympic Park circuit, a 1min27.4562.

Third in the order was Shane van Gisbergen, followed by Todd Kelly’s Nissan, Fabian Coulthard, Scott McLaughlin, Lowndes, Davison, Tony D’Alberto and Garth Tander.

The first Erebus Motorsport Mercedes-Benz home was Tim Slade in 11th. Meanwhile, Lee Holdsworth’s damaged car did not contest the session. But with the front right corner, steering rack, right rear driveshaft, brake discs, front bumper support and front clip, and some body panels replaced, the car will run in the day’s final session.

Click here for full results from the third practice session.

The final practice session at the Sydney NRMA Motoring & Services 500 begins at 2.50pm.