MCLAUGHLIN HOLDS OFF SVG IN SMP THRILLER

Scott McLaughlin holds off Shane van Gisbergen in Sydney Motorsport Park thriller – Photo: Supercars

Reigning Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin has held off a late race charge from Shane van Gisbergen to take victory in the first race back.

By HEATH McALPINE

A gap of 0.188s separated the two with Jamie Whincup 10s in arrears rounding out the podium after 32-laps.

McLaughlin started from pole after setting a 1m 27.9658s in the Top 15 Shootout, just shy of the qualifying record he set two years ago. It was no surprise who was beside him on the front row, van Gisbergen falling 0.210s short.

Surprise packets were Scott Pye, Bryce Fullwood, Todd Hazelwood and Macauley Jones in making the shootout. David Reynolds was the biggest omission, while Jack Le Brocq and James Courtney were also among the disappointed not to make it.

The start was peculiar as van Gisbergen got the better jump, but McLaughlin headed the duo into Turn 1 with RBHRT teammate Whincup making the best start of the field to leap from fifth to third off the line.

Le Brocq was left behind after stalling and although he set fastest laps early, 17th was the end result.

The DJR Team Penske driver ran away with the race early, but worked his front tyres, which crucially impacted on his second stint.

McLaughlin pitted on lap 15 for four new tyres, while van Gisbergen went two laps longer to set-up attack later in the race. Both, however were slightly hurt by slow left-front tyre changes, which impacted van Gisbergen the most by dropping him back in the pack.

With new rubber, it didn’t affect the RBHRT driver too much as he charged through to be behind McLaughlin with three-laps to go. An intense battle ensued, but fell in McLaughlin’s favour by the slightest of margins in what was a great return for Supercars.

Third in the title, Chaz Mostert finished fourth ahead of Nick Percat, Cam Waters, Lee Holdsworth, Anton De Pasquale, Mark Winterbottom and a struggling Fabian Coulthard.

The only retirement was Team Sydney’s Alex Davison after a steering clevis failed.

Tomorrow’s Supercars action begins at 10:35am with qualifying for Race 8.

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