SCOTT MCLAUGHLIN TAKES SERIES LEAD WITH VICTORY
Scott McLaughlin wins at Phillip Island – Photo: Rhys Vandersyde
It was a hard-fought victory for Scott McLaughlin in today’s Race 9 at Phillip Island as Rick Kelly celebrated his 500th race on the podium.
McLaughlin was on the back foot after Turn 2 as Jamie Whincup glided his RBHRT ZB Commodore around the outside of the DJR Team Penske FGX Falcon at Turn 1 setting up an inside move at Southern Loop.
No more than a second separated the title fighting pair until both pitted, which is where it got interesting. First, McLaughlin tapped the rear of Whincup heading into pit lane, then as they exited, both did so side-by-side with McLaughlin filing behind.
Behind the lead pair, Rick Kelly filed into third ahead of Shane van Gisbergen, who lost his power steering and was wrenching the wheel for the entire race.
The penalised Fabian Coulthard made eight positions in the first two laps but was unable to climb further.
The battle for the lead at the start of the race – Photo: Rhys Vandersyde
Whincup and McLaughlin renewed their battle for the lead as McLaughlin showed superior pace the longer the stint as the pair pitted on lap 31. This time the exit was cleaner and left McLaughlin within touching distance of the RBHRT Commodore.
The key moment for the race was on lap 41 when Whincup ran wide at Southern Loop inviting McLaughlin down the inside, one that he took. From there, the race was straightforward as the Kiwi gapped the reigning champion and took a 0.8960s win.
The battle for third promised more than it gave as Craig Lowndes was closing on Kelly’s Nissan, but it wasn’t to be as the Autobarn driver dropped a spot to teammate van Gisbergen in the end to round out the top 5.
The top 10 was completed by Chaz Mostert, David Reynolds, lead rookie Anton De Pasquale, Will Davison and Scott Pye.
Nick Percat and James Golding failed to finish.
Heading into tomorrow’s Race 10, McLaughlin leads the title by a solitary point over Whincup. The action starts with Qualifying at 10:40am AEST.
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