The DJR Fords made a smart start to the race, Davison powering into the lead from the outside of the front row as his team-mate Anton De Pasquale slipped past polesitting Cam Waters (Tickford Ford) and into second.
As Waters slipped back to third, championship leader Shane van Gisbergen's Triple Eight Holden made up one early spot, passing Scott Pye before settling into sixth behind Heimgartner and Chaz Mostert.
