But a race two cancellation denied the Benalla speedster the chance to overcome Fraser, as the Super2 championship now shifts to Adelaide for the finale in December.
Early drama in Best’s second appearance in the Great Race would see his weekend come to an early end, after Jack Perkins and Jamie Whincup rotated in standing water on turn one in front of the field.
Best took evasive action and ended up in the wall, his car out on the spot.
In Super2 action, however, Best got his weekend off to a cracker with pole position for race one, maintaining top spot in the series opener which was shortened due to the inclement weather.
A crash during qualifying did not phase Best or his team, who managed to hold on to their advantage and led from start to finish in the opener.
Best would secure third spot in qualifying for race two, but a heavy downpour at Mount Panorama saw race two cancelled, sealing his round honours.
“It’s pretty good, I’m happy with it,” Best told a Super2 press conference after the race.
“I’m disappointed we didn’t get to go out and get a few points on Declan, but there was nothing we could do.”
Best outlined his struggles in the wet and how he maintained his lead in race one.
“It was as slippery as a cat on a hot tin roof out there, it was pretty treacherous,” Best said.
“I managed to keep Tyler behind me, you couldn’t really pass so it was lucky I was in front and could actually see where I was going.
“If it had have kept going I feel like Tyler (Everingham) may have got me, but had to play it safe for the championship.”
The Tickford driver will now have to wait a month before his shot at Super2 glory, with the VALO Adelaide 500 to serve as the conclusion to the series from December 1-4.
“It’s been tough, I went from leading the championship to seventh and now I’m slowly climbing back up, hopefully by the end of Adelaide we can come out on top,” Best said.
“In a way, you’d still be happy with second rather than throw the whole thing away.
“Last race it will probably be all or nothing.”
