Will Davison takes dramatic Symmons Plains win

TEKNO Autosport’s Will Davison took an unexpected win at Symmons Place after drama in the closing stages of the race. Craig Lowndes took second in the twin Holden Commodore, while Mark Winterbottom finished third to complete the podium in his Ford Falcon.

A contact between Chris Pither’s Ford Falcon and Nick Percat at the exit of turn 4 the Safety Car was deployed, thus triggering an invasion of the pit lane, with cars making their pit stops as Craig Lowndes and Rick Kelly took advantage of early stops. Kelly was however forced to retire shortly after due to brake issues.

Red Bull Racing Australia’s Shane Van Gisbergen looked like a safe bet for the win until he crashed at the hairpin with just five laps to go. Team-mate Jamie Whincup was involved in an accident with Cameron Waters and Andre Heimgartner, the former’s Ford Falcon also spilling oil on the track. Waters had also suffered from a problem in the pit lane and had rejoined several laps down on the lead.

Davison took full advantage of the situation and won the race ahead of Lowndes and Winterbottom. Scott McLaughlin bounced back from a bad Saturday to claim fourth in his Volvo S60 ahead of Chaz Mostert’s Ford Falcon.

Race winner Will Davison leads the championship, with Lowndes and Whincup not far behind.