SHANE VAN GISBERGEN LIGHTS UP NIGHT RACE

Shane van Gisbergen lighting up the Sydney SuperNight race – Photo: InSyde Media

Scott McLaughlin and DJR Team Penske may have taken the honours in Qualifying and for the majority of the race held prime track position, but a Safety Car on lap 60 changed the course of the race. As it so often does.

Double stacking during its final pit stop failed to halt the Red Bull HRT charge as first Shane van Gisbergen, then Jamie Whincup made their moves with newer tyres and delivered the team a 1-2 amongst the fireworks.

Scott McLaughlin led at the start – Photo: InSyde Media

McLaughlin won the start, whilst his teammate Fabian Coulthard struggled as did Rick Kelly, but the undercut played its part particularly for Craig Lowndes, challenging McLaughlin through the mid-segment.

The pair pitted on lap 54, but a Safety Car to collect the rear wing off Todd Hazelwood’s Matt Stone Racing Falcon after it came loose changed the pattern of the race as van Gisbergen and Whincup pitted and emerged third and fourth behind McLaughlin and Lowndes.

The Kiwi made short work of Lowndes, then preceded to pursue the championship leader and after numerous taps, forced a way through at Turn 4 on lap 67 and built a margin while Whincup attacked the lead DJR Team Penske Falcon.

Shane van Gisbergen charging through the field – Photo: InSyde Media

Whincup succeeded in taking second at Turn 8 on lap 73 and caught up to his teammate to take a form finish.

After a strong weekend up to mid-race, the Walkinshaw Andretti United pair suffered identical front right wishbone failures, first James Courtney, then the unlucky Scott Pye, with both in strong positions.

Michael Caruso was tapped into the wall by Anton De Pasquale after the restart in what was a relatively clean race.

The championship has closed up with van Gisbergen closing to 89 points of McLaughlin heading to Tailem Bend on August 25-26.

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