Whincup gets closer to title after Sandown victory

Jamie Whincup claimed victory number ten of the 2011 V8 Supercars season at Sandown today. The Holden driver commanded the race, which was held in dry conditions compared to yesterday’s wet, from start to finish.
“The car was on rails today and the guys did a great job in the stops,” said Whincup.

“It was just a matter of getting there at the end. I couldn’t be happier. Both cars have been quick all year. We take the battle to Sydney, which is the way it should be.”

Mark Winterbottom claimed second for Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon, just under two seconds behind Whincup. And Winterbottom kept pressure on Whincup during the race, but more in the first half compared to the second half of the race.

Will Davidson made it two FPR Ford Falcons on the podium, finishing third, just 0.901 seconds behind team mate Winterbottom.

Whincup’s team mate Craig Lowndes claimed fourth ahead of Garth Tander in fifth and Shane Van Gisbergen in sixth.

Gisbergen was in trouble on lap 18 after his pitstop as the SP Tools Racing driver locked up and went off track. The mistake forced him to make an extra pitstop four laps later to change what seemed to be a flatstpotted tyre.

Tim Slade finished seventh ahead of Lee Holdsworth and Rick Kelly. Steve Owen rounded off the top ten, 19 seconds from winning driver Whincup.