Photo: V8 Supercars

First victory of 2014 for Fabian Coulthard

Fabian Coulthard claimed his first V8 Supercars victory in 2014 from pole position in the first race of the Winton 400 weekend. The Brad Jones Racing driver crossed the line in first ahead of fellow countryman Shane Van Gisbergen in second with Dale Wood in third.

The safety car was first issued mid-race as Scott McLaughlin stopped on track due to an engine failure in his Volvo S60.

As the race resumed there were two separate incidents. FPR’s Chaz Mostert, HRT’s James Courtney and Walkinshaw driver Tim Slade collided in the first corner. Not long after the other Walkinshaw car of Nick Percat and Rod Nash Racing’s David Reynolds collided in corner six, resulting the safety car being brought out again.

2013 Dunlop development series champion Wood made a strong race in his Britek Holden, and was under hard pressure from the BJR car of Jason Bright and the Erebus Mercedes of Lee Holdsworth for third position. But Wood was able to stay ahead to claim his so far best finish in third position.

Triple Eight Race Engineering drivers Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup had a tough race to finish eighth and ninth respectively. Mark Winterbottom started from the back of the grid but was able to climb up through the field, past Lowndes and Whincup, to finish seventh.

Lucas Dumbrell Racing driver Russell Ingall looked set to claim a podium finish but got a drive through penalty and dropped to tenth position. The Holden driver had pitted during the safety car chaos for fresh tyres and was able to climb up to third position after that. But the stewards handed him a penalty for tapping David Wall into a spin, a decision leaving Ingall fuming.