Lowndes the class of the field in qualifying
Craig Lowndes will start Race 10 from pole position
TeamVodafone’s Craig Lowndes has proven the class of the field in V8 Supercars qualifying at Winton – setting the fastest two times of the 20 minute session.
Steven Johnson (Jim Beam Racing) will share the front-row with the Triple Eight Commodore, having vaulted up the order with a last-gasp effort after the chequered flag fell.
Jame Whincup improved his best time on his last run but could do no better than third, while Lee Holdsworth (Fujitsu Racing) and Paul Dumbrell (The Bottle-O Racing) rounded out the top five.
David Reynolds (Stratco Racing) continued on from his strong practice form with the sixth fastest time – just 0.25s off pole.
Fabian Coulthard (Bundaberg Racing) was the best of the Walkinshaw Commodores in seventh, while Toll Holden Racing Team duo Garth Tander and James Courtney struggled, taking 11th and 19th respectively.
Mark Winterbottom (Orrcon Steel FPR), Will Davison (Trading Post FPR) and Michael Caruso (Fujitsu Racing) rounded out the top 10.
See below for the full result
| 1 | TeamVodafone | Craig Lowndes | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:22.0979 | |
| 2 | Jim Beam Racing | Steven Johnson | Ford Falcon FG | 1:22.1566 | 0:00.0587 |
| 3 | TeamVodafone | Jamie Whincup | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:22.2168 | 0:00.1189 |
| 4 | Fujitsu Racing GRM | Lee Holdsworth | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:22.2590 | 0:00.1611 |
| 5 | The Bottle-O Racing Team | Paul Dumbrell | Ford Falcon FG | 1:22.2652 | 0:00.1673 |
| 6 | Stratco Racing | David Reynolds | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:22.3459 | 0:00.2480 |
| 7 | Bundaberg Racing | Fabian Coulthard | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:22.3595 | 0:00.2616 |
| 8 | Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon | Mark Winterbottom | Ford Falcon FG | 1:22.4150 | 0:00.3171 |
| 9 | Trading Post FPR Falcon | Will Davison | Ford Falcon FG | 1:22.4597 | 0:00.3618 |
| 10 | Fujitsu Racing GRM | Michael Caruso | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:22.4741 | 0:00.3762 |
| 11 | Toll Holden Racing Team | Garth Tander | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:22.4801 | 0:00.3822 |
| 12 | Jack Daniel’s Racing | Rick Kelly | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:22.5005 | 0:00.4026 |
| 13 | Irwin Racing | Alex Davison | Ford Falcon FG | 1:22.5307 | 0:00.4328 |
| 14 | Team BOC | Jason Bright | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:22.5508 | 0:00.4529 |
| 15 | VIP Petfoods | Steve Owen | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:22.6038 | 0:00.5059 |
| 16 | Jack Daniel’s Racing | Todd Kelly | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:22.7002 | 0:00.6023 |
| 17 | Lucky 7 Racing | Tim Slade | Ford Falcon FG | 1:22.7032 | 0:00.6053 |
| 18 | Supercheap Auto Racing | Russell Ingall | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:22.7119 | 0:00.6140 |
| 19 | Toll Holden Racing Team | James Courtney | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:22.7495 | 0:00.6516 |
| 20 | Mother Energy Racing Team | Jonathon Webb | Ford Falcon FG | 1:22.7638 | 0:00.6659 |
| 21 | Jim Beam Racing | James Moffat | Ford Falcon FG | 1:22.8286 | 0:00.7307 |
| 22 | Pepsi Max Crew | Greg Murphy | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:22.8317 | 0:00.7338 |
| 23 | Jana Living Racing | Jason Bargwanna | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:22.8342 | 0:00.7363 |
| 24 | SP Tools Racing | Shane Van Gisbergen | Ford Falcon FG | 1:22.8627 | 0:00.7648 |
| 25 | Triple F Racing | Dean Fiore | Ford Falcon FG | 1:23.0066 | 0:00.9087 |
| 26 | Fair Dinkum Sheds Racing | Karl Reindler | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:23.1020 | 0:01.0041 |
| 27 | Wilson Security Racing | Tony D’Alberto | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:23.1112 | 0:01.0133 |
| 28 | Gulf Western Oil Racing | Warren Luff | Holden Commodore VE2 | 1:23.5547 | 0:01.4568 |
This weekend sees a V8 Supercars/Formula One double-header. See below for Speedcafe.com’s Race Guides for insight into all of the weekend’s action.