Photo: Jim Beam Racing

Courtney takes victory at Ipswich

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James Courtney has won the first race, race nine of the championship for Jim Beam Racing – comfortably winning ahead of Craig Lowndes.

James took the lead from Garth Tander on lap four, and never looked back as he powered his Ford Falcon into a strong lead, eventually winning by over 13 seconds from the TeamVodafone Holden of Craig Lowndes.

Lowndes team mate, and championship leader – Jamie Whincup, recovered from his 12th place grid position to eventually finish fourth, passing struggling pole sitter Garth Tander in the final stages of the race.

The one to watch though throughout the second half of the race was Stone Brothers Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen, who picked off many cars lap after lap to work his way up to third place at the finish and claim the final spot on the podium.