Craig Lowndes takes commanding victory in Tasmania

There was no stopping Craig Lowndes to claim his first victory of the season in the first V8 Supercars race of the weekend in Tasmania. The Triple Eight Race Engineering driver qualified on pole and won the race over two seconds ahead of Ford driver Mark Winterbottom in second place.

Apart from a action packed first lap, the field settled down for the remaining 25 laps. Championship leader James Courtney claimed the final podium position in third place while Shane Van Gisbergen came home in fourth position, with Chaz Mostert being close but not able to get past in fifth.

David Reynolds made it three Fords in the top six, with reigning champion Jamie Whincup an anonymous seventh.

Will Davison was an early victim of the hairpin on lap one, being turned around by Courtney. The Erebus Motorsport driver, who had qualified a strong fourth was fuming and went to speak to Courtney after the race.

”I have had my race ruined by someone being silly. Every time on the first lap he runs into me. **** for brains,” said Davison, while Courtney said he was pushed from behind.

Another victim of turn four was Nissan Motorsport driver Todd Kelly who was hit by Lee Holdsworth. The incident saw Holdsworth getting a drive through penalty.

The nightmare continued for Volvo Polestar Racing driver Scott McLaughlin who had qualified 18th and then retired on the first lap due to a mechanical issue. The team is working hard to repair the car ahead of the second race of the weekend.