Photo: HSV Media

Tander wins, Whincup is champion

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Garth Tander has won the first ever V8 Supercar race at the Sydney Telstra 500, but in finishing fifth Jamie Whincup successfully defended his championship title.

Tander qualified on pole for the Homebush based event, but lost the lead to Lee Holdsworth, and also allowed Jamie Whincup past midway through the race.

The Toll Holden Racing Driver refused to give up, and fought his way back to the lead, and to take the chequered flag for his first victory in a 250km V8 Supercar race.

Ford Performance Racing’s Mark Winterbottom claimed the second step of the podium, with Jason Bright completing the top three.

Whincup’s knew at least one 28th place finish this weekend would secure his second title in as many years, and finishing fifth was a solid way to wrap the championship up with a race to spare.

His season-long rival, Will Davison had a poor race, finishing 15th overall