Craig Lowndes will aim for an historic 100th career win in the 200km Symmons Plains finale after scoring back-to-back victories in the Super Sprints.
In a repeat of his opening race performance, Lowndes won the start from pole and led the entire 25 lap journey.
The veteran had to control an early Safety Car restart on this occasion, but again proved able to drive away from team-mate Jamie Whincup.
Lowndes’ 99th career win further cements his place at the top of the all-time list and comes in his 550th race start.
“It’s a credit to the guys,” smiled Lowndes after the 25 lap heat.
“We made an adjustment between races. The temperature has cooled down and the car moved around a little more than I like, but we still had good drive.
“This is a track that I enjoy and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.”
James Courtney found his way around David Reynolds mid-race to score a second podium for the day.
Reynolds then held off the second Holden Racing Team Commodore of Garth Tander to record a strong fourth.
Mark Winterbottom, Will Davison, Shane van Gisbergen, Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard completed the top 10.
Andre Heimgartner had been the cause of the day’s only Safety Car, spearing into the Turn 4 gravel after a lock-up on lap four.
The Kiwi had been running in sixth place after losing a position to Tander off the start.
Dale Wood also finished off the lead lap after early contact with Nick Percat caused a puncture.
Michael Caruso fared little better in his Nissan, finishing 23rd after being turned around by David Wall.
The V8 Supercars will return to the track for a final practice tomorrow morning ahead of qualifying and the 200km race.
RESULTS : Race 5 – Symmons Plains
|
1 |
Red Bull Racing Australia |
Craig Lowndes |
Holden Commodore VF |
25 |
24:24.0674 |
|
2 |
Red Bull Racing Australia |
Jamie Whincup |
Holden Commodore VF |
25 |
24:25.7181 |
|
3 |
Holden Racing Team |
James Courtney |
Holden Commodore VF |
25 |
24:29.5124 |
|
4 |
The Bottle-O Racing Team |
David Reynolds |
Ford Falcon FG/X |
25 |
24:31.5774 |
|
5 |
Holden Racing Team |
Garth Tander |
Holden Commodore VF |
25 |
24:32.6877 |
|
6 |
Pepsi Max Crew |
Mark Winterbottom |
Ford Falcon FG/X |
25 |
24:33.1187 |
|
7 |
Erebus Motorsport V8 |
Will Davison |
Mercedes E63 AMG |
25 |
24:33.6534 |
|
8 |
Team Darrell Lea STIX |
Shane Van Gisbergen |
Holden Commodore VF |
25 |
24:34.2999 |
|
9 |
Wilson Security Racing GRM |
Scott McLaughlin |
Volvo S60 |
25 |
24:36.6814 |
|
10 |
Freightliner Racing |
Fabian Coulthard |
Holden Commodore VF |
25 |
24:37.2711 |
|
11 |
Walkinshaw Racing |
Lee Holdsworth |
Holden Commodore VF |
25 |
24:37.7350 |
|
12 |
Pepsi Max Crew |
Chaz Mostert |
Ford Falcon FG/X |
25 |
24:38.1290 |
|
13 |
Nissan Motorsport |
Todd Kelly |
Nissan Altima |
25 |
24:40.7178 |
|
14 |
Supercheap Auto Racing |
Tim Slade |
Holden Commodore VF |
25 |
24:41.1731 |
|
15 |
Team BOC |
Jason Bright |
Holden Commodore VF |
25 |
24:42.5772 |
|
16 |
Nissan Motorsport |
Rick Kelly |
Nissan Altima |
25 |
24:44.6335 |
|
17 |
DJR Team Penske |
Scott Pye |
Ford Falcon FG/X |
25 |
24:45.1609 |
|
18 |
Repair Management Aust Racing |
Nick Percat |
Holden Commodore VF |
25 |
24:45.5047 |
|
19 |
Nissan Mororsport |
James Moffat |
Nissan Altima |
25 |
24:46.3055 |
|
20 |
Wilson Security Racing GRM |
David Wall |
Volvo S60 |
25 |
24:49.2534 |
|
21 |
Team Cooldrive |
Tim Blanchard |
Holden Commodore VF |
25 |
24:51.1372 |
|
22 |
Erebus Motorsport V8 |
Ashley Walsh |
Mercedes E63 AMG |
25 |
24:56.9442 |
|
23 |
Nissan Motorsport |
Michael Caruso |
Nissan Altima |
25 |
24:59.0061 |
|
DNF |
GB Galvanizing Racing |
Dale Wood |
Holden Commodore VF |
24 |
24:58.1444 |
|
DNF |
Super Black Racing |
Andre Heimgartner |
Ford Falcon FG/X |
23 |
24:52.438 |
Championship Standings
| Pos | Driver | Points |
| 1 | James Courtney | 386 |
| 2 | Craig Lowndes | 358 |
| 3 | Garth Tander | 337 |
| 4 | Jamie Whincup | 333 |
| 5 | Shane van Gisbergen | 327 |
| 6 | Mark Winterbottom | 322 |
| 7 | Fabian Coulthard | 319 |
| 8 | Rick Kelly | 236 |
| 9 | David Reynolds | 231 |
| 10 | Jason Bright | 215 |
| 11 | Tim Slade | 208 |
| 12 | Todd Kelly | 194 |
| 13 | Dale Wood | 159 |
| 14 | Chaz Mostert | 158 |
| 15 | David Wall | 158 |
| 16 | Nick Percat | 154 |
| 17 | Tim Blanchard | 144 |
| 18 | James Moffat | 142 |
| 19 | Lee Holdsworth | 136 |
| 20 | Scott McLaughlin | 135 |
| 21 | Andre Heimgartner | 133 |
| 22 | Marcos Ambrose | 125 |
| 23 | Will Davison | 123 |
| 24 | Michael Caruso | 107 |
| 25 | Ashley Walsh | 61 |
| 26 | Scott Pye | 52 |
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