Mark Winterbottom wins Townsville nail-biter to extend championship lead

Mark Winterbottom withstood hard pressure from Ford colleague David Reynolds on the very last laps of V8 Supercars race 16 at Townsville to claim victory and extend his championship lead.

Prodrive Racing Australia team mate Chaz Mostert started from pole position but was quickly passed by Winterbottom. Mostert remained in the top until the last part of the race when he quickly dropped down to eighth position due to worn tyres.

Reynolds and Winterbottom remained close throughout the race, with the Rod Nash Racing driver closing at the very end but not being able to get past.

Another man on a charge was Brad Jones Racing driver Fabian Coulthard who selected a slightly different strategy to the other front runners. Coulthard stormed past Mostert in the closing laps and gained quickly on the top duo. He was however not close enough to challenge them, but finished a strong third.

Scott McLaughlin claimed his and Volvo Polestar Racing’s best result of the year, keeping fourth position from the grid to the finishing line.

Scott Pye was the final driver into the top five, with Holden Racing Team drivers James Courtney and Garth Tander claiming position six and seven.

Jamie Whincup looked strong at the beginning of the race, climbing to fourth position at best, but dropped after the first pitstop to finish ninth behind Mostert.

Shane Van Gisbergen stormed through the field after starting last due to a penalty for using incorrect tyres during the qualifying session. The Tekno Autosports driver climbed 15 positions to finish tenth.

The V8 Supercars action in Townsville continues tomorrow with Race 17 of 200 kilometers.