MCLAUGHLIN EQUALS LOWNDES RECORD IN RACE 22 AT THE BEND

Scott McLaughlin took hold of a share in another record with his victory in Race 22 of the 2019 Virgin Australia Supercar Championship on Sunday on a chilly but dry day at The Bend Motorsport Park in rural South Australia.

The conditions once again challenged both teams and drivers with set ups for the 41 lap, 2 stop race and it was McLaughlin, who once again returned to the front of the grid with a new record lap time. Will Davison took a well deserved second just ahead of Chaz Mostert with Jamie Whincup the best of the Holden Commodores in 4th. Cameron Waters, Nick Percat, Anton de Pasquale, Lee Holdsworth, Mark Winterbottom and Tim Slade rounded out the top 10.

Will Davison pounced on a slow starting McLaughlin and took the lead on the run to the first turn. Jamie Whincup swept wide and also rounded up the Shell V-Power Mustang before the braking area, while Chaz Mostert loomed close behind. Mark Winterbottom was shuffled down to the rear of the field after contact in the pack from Tim Slade saw the Irwin Commodore spear across the grass at turn 3. Whincup hounded Davison for the lead throughout the opening laps and looked to squeeze inside the Milwaukee Mustang on lap 3. Whincup checked his run as Davison closed the gap and then lost 2nd to McLaughlin when the Red Bull Holden Racing Commodore’s exit speed was compromised.

Andre Heimgartner, Fabian Coulthard and Simona De Silvestro were the first to stop as they looked to gain an advantage from deep in the congested midfield. Heimgartner’s hopes of a top 10 finish were soon dashed by a pit lane infringement and subsequent penalty. McLaughlin and dePasquale were the first of the leaders to stop. Davison stopped shortly after and was able to extend his lead to just over a second from McLaughlin, while Mostert moved into 3rd just before Whincup took to the pit entry road for his first stop.

SEE ALL OF VELOCITY’S PHOTOS FROM THE BEND HERE

Waters and de Pasquale were the first to make their second pit stop as did McLaughlin, who took his second stop just shy of the half way mark of the race. Davison looked to cover McLaughlin’s move and made his second stop shortly after. A  2 second pit stop delay, reportedly for a small airbox fire, effectively handed the race lead to McLaughlin when Davison finally made his way back out onto the racetrack. Chaz Mostert remained in third from Jamie Whincup, who brought the Red Bull Holden Racing Team entry into the pits much later than those ahead. Whincup’s team were hopeful that the move may pay dividends in the final laps of the race.

McLaughlin eased away to a 2 second lead as Davison and Mostert fought amongst themselves for 2nd place. The battle allowed Whincup to close the gap between the pair and potentially threaten to jump both by the end of the race, though a mistake at turn 8 saw Whincup run wide and lose a place to Nick Percat.

Shane van Gisbergen had steadily worked his way forward after a rather disastrous qualifying session and leap frogged into 6th after the final round of pit stops were completed.

As the race counted down McLaughlin’s lead stabilised at 5 seconds from Davison, with Mostert a further 1.8 seconds in arrears. A clash between teammates Simona De Silvestro and Andre Heimgartner saw the Harvey Norman Nissan Altima spin at turn 6 while the battle for the podium remained static.

Scott Mclaughlin went on to record his 16th race win of 2019 and equal Craig Lowndes’ record for wins in a season. Will Davison finished in 2nd from Mostert, Percat, Whincup, van Gisbergen, de Pasquale, Waters, Holdsworth and Coulthard. The result also saw Mostert move ahead of Coulthard and into second place in the championship standings.

“I didn’t quite get the best start, but it was good racing towards the end,” said a candid Scott McLaughlin.”

Chaz Mostert was another to bemoan his run towards the first turn at the start of the race. “Today, just a bit of a bad start, fell back, but I was lucky enough to have the car pace to get back on the podium,” he said.

All PHOTOS 

SUBSCRIBE TO VELOCITY MAGAZINE 

For all our news keep your eyes peeled on the Velocity Magazine website and social media, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for our daily updates and to get the latest edition of our glossy magazine subscribe here from just $55 for 12 months subscription.

GET OUR LATEST ISSUE NUMBER 33 HERE