Photo: Red Bull Racing Australia

Victory for Jamie Whincup as Mark Winterbottom closes in on title

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Jamie Whincup won the first race of the V8 Supercars season finale in Sydney from fifth position on the grid.

Championship leader Mark Winterbottom started from pole but dropped to fifth position, still enough point to get him closer to the title as main rival Craig Lowndes only managed 15th position after starting from the back of the grid.

Shane Van Gisbergen headed the field for the first part of the race from second position on the grid but was passed by Whincup during the pitstops. The Tekno Autosport driver put hard pressure on the reigning champion, but unable to get past.

Jason Bright claimed a strong third position in the race for Brad Jones Racing, with Holden Racing Team driver James Courtney finishing fourth ahead of Winterbottom.

Tim Slade claimed position six ahead of Nissan Motorsport driver Rick Kelly in seventh, while Volvo Polestar Racing’s Scott McLaughlin climbed from eleventh to round off the top eight.

Should Winterbottom finish 21st or better in the next race, he will be come champion no matter where Lowndes finishes.

The race had no safety car sessions, a first for the event.