JAMIE WHINCUP STARS FOR WIN NUMBER 106
Jamie Whincup claimed his 106th win at Sydney Motorsport Park – Photo: Dirk Klynsmith
Jamie Whincup has reset the winning record in Supercars with a 10s victory at Sydney Motorsport Park.
The Red Bull Holden driver leapt ahead of former teammate Craig Lowndes on the all-time winners’ list, after coming from behind in the 52-lap race.
In the closing stages of the race he was behind teammate Shane van Gisbergen, but with superior tyre grip, moved swiftly past and ran into the distance.
“I knew it was going to be a battle to the end there,” said Whincup. “Thanks to my teammate, we work together here at Red Bull.”
In a similar vain Fabian Coulthard found himself behind his teammate Scott McLaughlin but moved past – and then swept van Gisbergen aside to take second place. McLaughlin attacked van Gisbergen, and momentarily moved past, but the Holden regained third and held McLaughlin off to the flag.
“I had a good battle with Shane,” said Coulthard. “He had a good car in some places, his was better in others.”
Typically van Gisbergen was enthusiastic after the race.
“It was pretty awesome! I let Jamie go, he was much quicker but I definitely wasn’t letting Scotty go!
“Third, after yesterday, felt good. I was slowing up every corner to get a good exit.”
Scott McLaughlin preserved his points lead – Photo: Dirk Klynsmith
Right behind him McLaughlin held to to preserve his points lead, ahead of Chaz Mostert.
“I used the tyre a lot to get to those guys,” the Supercheap Auto driver admitted.
“Much better than yesterday, I think we have found the direction we need.”
Nick Percat was sixth ahead of Michael Caruso, and Jason Bright was a strong eighth in the Mega Fuels Prodrive Ford.
The race was a struggle for the other Prodrive driver. After damaging a tyre in Qualifying Mark Winterbottom went backwards in the race, including an off-track excursion at one stage, and was a lowly 19th in a race he will want to forget.
The teams now have four weeks to prepare for the next round, the Sandown 500, which is also the opening round of the Pirtek Endurance Championship.
Points: McLaughlin 2058, Whincup 2046, Coulthard 1951, van Gisbergen 1800. Mostert 1794, Winterbottom 1503, Lowndes 1446, Reynolds 1395, Tander 1368, Waters 1264.
We’ll have more details from the Supercars weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park in the next issue of Auto Action magazine, on sale Thursday. In the mean time make sure you follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates between issues.
