MUSTANGS DOMINATE THURSDAY QUALIFYING AT THE MELBOURNE 400

Scott McLaughlin dominated qualifying for the first two races – Photo: InSyde Media

Scott McLaughlin has taken Pole Position for the first two races of the Beaurepaires Melbourne 400 with Mustangs locking out the front row in both races.

By DAN McCARTHY

The first session saw McLaughlin take pole by 0.361s ahead of his Shell V-Power Racing teammate Fabian Coulthard.

Chaz Mostert had a session to forget, his first lap was cancelled for overuse of track limits on the exit of Turn 12. On his final attempt Mostert locked up and ran through the grass costing him two seconds, he completed the lap but it was only good enough for 22nd position.

The Penske men will start ahead of Cameron Waters and Will Davison who made it four Mustangs in the top 4. Shane van Gisbergen is the best of the Holdens who will start fifth alongside Tim Slade, while Jamie Whincup will start seventh.

Qualifying for the 1000th ATCC/Supercars race was a lot closer but saw McLaughlin take Pole by just 0.012s ahead of Mostert who had a much better second Qualifying session.

Fabian Coulthard put in a last ditch effort to improve his position – Photo: InSyde Media

After the first laps Coulthard was buried down in tenth position, deciding to have another attempt late in the session, he improved to start on the inside of the third row in fifth, while Van Gisbergen will start the second race down in 11th position.

The other Red Bull of Whincup faired a lot better qualifying third with Waters again qualifying on the second row alongside Whincup.

The final two qualifying sessions take place at 1:50pm and 2:10pm tomorrow with the first race getting underway at 5.55pm tomorrow evening.

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