Scott McLaughlin bounces back to win final Townsville race
Points leader Scott McLaughlin returned to the top step of the Supercars Championship podium in the final race of the weekend at Townsville.
The DJR Team Penske driver headed the field from pole position and opened a small gap to Tickford Racing driver Cameron Waters at the beginning of the race.
Waters put immense pressure on McLaughlin after the mandatory pit stop, but the reigning champion was able to fend off the attacks to keep the lead and win the race by four seconds.
Jamie Whincup, who won the first two races of the Townsville weekend, came home in third position.
Nick Percat was on a podium position at the beginning of the race but dropped down to finish fourth ahead of Brad Jones Racing team-mate Todd Hazelwood and Charlie Schwerkolt Racing driver Scott Pye.
Anton de Pasquale and Shane van Gisbergen, who started 13th, rounded off the top eight.
Chaz Mostert, who is third in the standings, suffered a puncture that dropped him from seventh to finish 24th and last.
McLaughlin has increased his championship lead over Whincup to 54 points, with Mostert third and van Gisbergen fourth, just 15 points behind the Walkinshaw Andretti United driver.
The Supercars Championship will remain at Townsville, racing again next weekend.
