Jamie Whincup claims dominating win in first Townsville race
Jamie Whincup claimed a dominating victory in the first V8 Supercars race of the Townsville 400 weekend, crossing the finishing line 3.6 seconds ahead of team mate Shane Van Gisbergen.
Whincup started from pole position and was only threatened by Triple Eight Race Engineering team mate Van Gisbergen at the very end of the race after a safety car session.
Van Gisbergen gained towards the end, but was never close enough to seriously challenge Whincup for the lead.
The final podium position went to reigning champion Mark Winterbottom, beating Prodrive Racing Australia team mate Chaz Mostert at the end of the race to claim third by 1.6 seconds.
Will Davison was the final driver in the top five, passing Holden Racing Team driver James Courtney who had to settle for sixth. Seventh position went to Courtney’s team mate Garth Tander who stormed from 20th position on the grid.
DJR Team Penske driver Fabian Coulthard fought with Michael Caruso for a big part of the race, with Coulthard coming winning out of the battle in eighth position while the Nissan Motorsport driver had to settle for ninth ahead of team mate Todd Kelly in tenth.
Volvo driver Scott McLaughlin had a nightmare race, being forced to pit after the first lap to repair his S60 following damage after contact with Dale Wood. The Kiwi finished 24th and lost vital points in the title fight.
