MCLAUGHLIN DOMINATES SATURDAY IN DARWIN

Scott McLaughlin dominates in Darwin – Photo: InSyde Media

Scott McLaughlin has taken a dominant in the first race of the Darwin Triple Crown, the kiwi winning the race in his Team Penske Ford Mustang by 6.8s.

Chaz Mostert recovered from a poor qualifying to finish the race in second with an aggressive undercut strategy.

The best Holden Commodore driver was David Reynolds who finished in third holding off a hard-charging Cameron Waters in the closing laps of the race.

McLaughlin in the #17 Mustang made an average start which allowed both the Penrite Racing cars of Reynolds and Anton de Pasquale to drive alongside his Penske car into Turn 1, but McLaughlin led exiting the turn. From there he was never challenged, despite a safety car in the early laps, nobody could match the kiwi.

Jamie Whincup charged up to fifth – Photo: InSyde Media

The Red Bull Holden Racing Team cars made a reasonable recovery with an overcut strategy, Jamie Whincup finishing fifth and Shane van Gisbergen eighth.
Lee Holdsworth sat fifth but made a mistake allowing Whincup through in the closing stages but came home a strong sixth, ahead of the other Team Penske Mustang of Fabian Coulthard.

Both of the Mobil 1 MEGA Racing drivers of James Courtney and Scott Pye rounded out the ten.

Anton de Pasquale came home a disappointing eleventh after sitting comfortably in the top five in the first stint, his race came undone during his pit stop when a wheel change drama cost him over 10 seconds.

When fighting for the podium Will Davison’s race also came undone in the lane when he was released into the path of David Reynolds and was handed a 15 second penalty.

The race tomorrow begins at 2pm AEST.

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