Photo: Nissan Motorsport

Michael Caruso claims first V8 Supercars win in seven years

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Michael Caruso claimed his first V8 Supercars victory since 2009 as he won the first race of the weekend at Hidden Valley for Nissan Motorsport.

There was controversy in the race as Triple Eight Race Engineering driver Shane Van Gisbergen lost the lead of the race after a drive through penalty.

Van Gisbergen received the penalty after making contact with Caruso during a safety car restart. The penalty dropped the Holden driver to 16th place.

Multiple champion Jamie Whincup took over the lead Triple Eight Race Engineering position, making his way past both Will Davison and Chaz Mostert in the closing stages of the race.

Whincup closed in on Caruso, who reclaimed the lead from Davison during the pit stop, but crossed the finishing line in second place, two seconds behind the Nissan driver.

Mostert claimed the final podium position in third for Prodrive Racing Australia, with Davison in fourth and the DJR Team Penske duo of Scott Pye and Fabian Coulthard in positions five and six.

Craig Lowndes had a tough race, being spun by Rick Kelly in the opening lap commotion, and finished eleventh behind Volvo driver Scott McLaughlin.

Reigning champion lost his championship lead to Whincup after only managing ninth position with his Ford Falcon.