Photo: DJR Team Penske

Scott McLaughlin claims sixth win of 2018 in Darwin to extend points lead

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Scott McLaughlin won the first Supercars race of the weekend in Darwin, his sixth of the season, to further extend his championship lead as title rival Shane van Gisbergen finished behind him in second place.

Erebus Motorsport driver David Reynolds had qualified on pole position and claimed the lead of the race at the start, with DJR Team Penske driver McLaughlin right on his tail.

Reynolds lost the lead after his pit stop and the Erebus Motorsport driver found himself in the middle of a five-car battle for the top positions with 20 laps remaining, a scrap that saw Triple Eight Race Engineering driver van Gisbergen gaining vital position.

Van Gisbergen continued to make his way up through the field thanks to his late pit stop and had his sights set on McLaughlin as the race neared the end. Despite his best efforts, van Gisbergen crossed the line in second position, a mere four tenths of a second behind.

Nissan Motorsport driver Rick Kelly challenged McLaughlin for the lead earlier in the race but suffered from pitting early in the race to finish sixth.

Reynolds claimed the final podium position with Holden driver Scott Pye finishing a strong fourth after starting in eighth position.

Triple Eight veteran Craig Lowndes finished seventh ahead of team-mate and reigning champion Jamie Whincup who rounded off the top eight.

The second and final race of the weekend starts at 13:30 local time tomorrow.