Scott McLaughlin took his eighth race win of 2019 in Perth as Jamie Whincup recovered to salvage an unlikely podium.
Unlikely is the word to use considering Red Bull Holden's struggles of late, but seven-time champion Whincup proved there's life in the powerhouse team still with a strong showing.
Tickford pilot Cameron Waters rounded out the podium, while Friday winner Fabian Coulthard finished fourth.
Whincup beat polesitter McLaughlin off the line and led into the first turn, but the reigning champ took over after the first pit stops.
SUPERCARS: Everything you need to know about the 2019 Supercars Championship
MORE: Coulthard 'relieved' to win Perth opener following Mustang changes
Such was McLaughlin's speed that he carried a seven-second lead before the safety car was deployed after a tangle between Scott Pye and Andre Heimgartner, the former left stranded after heavy final-corner contact.
Takes two to tangle
— Supercars (@supercars) May 4, 2019
Pye and Heimgartner collide leaving Pye stranded trackside.#VASC pic.twitter.com/KunXnmZ6du
There was mayhem on the restart, with Rick Kelly nearly spearing into the inside wall after contact with Shane van Gisbergen.
Restart ...
— Supercars (@supercars) May 4, 2019
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯#VASC pic.twitter.com/u3ZwiwOjtR
Earlier, Chaz Mostert's championship aspirations took a massive hit when he retired after his Tickford Mustang dropped a cylinder.
It didn't concern McLaughlin, who held a two-second lead over Whincup to the flag to lock in career win No. 33.
"I’m stoked. First night win, I enjoyed it here in Perth, such an awesome spectacle,” McLaughlin said after the race.
"Shell V-Power Racing gave us an awesome car, it was the best way to respond.
"I made another balls-up there [off the start], so I’ve got to look at it.
"I think the start was good, the light was just so much faster today, so I’ve got to work on myself."
SUPERCARS: PERTH SUPERNIGHT
RACE 12 RESULTS
| Position | Driver | Car | Margin |
| 1st | Scott McLaughlin | Ford | |
| 2nd | Jamie Whincup | Holden | +1.928 |
| 3rd | Cameron Waters | Ford | +4.332 |
| 4th | Fabian Coulthard | Ford | +5.139 |
| 5th | Shane van Gisbergen | Holden | +6.863 |
| 6th | David Reynolds | Holden | +11.282 |
| 7th | Anton de Pasquale | Holden | +12.949 |
| 8th | Will Davison | Ford | +13.440 |
| 9th | Lee Holdsworth | Ford | +15.128 |
| 10th | Nick Percat | Holden | +18.105 |
| 11th | Tim Slade | Holden | +19.829 |
| 12th | Simona De Silvestro | Nissan | +23.084 |
| 13th | James Golding | Holden | +23.678 |
| 14th | Todd Hazelwood | Holden | +24.104 |
| 15th | Mark Winterbottom | Holden | +28.391 |
| 16th | James Courtney | Holden | +31.449 |
| 17th | Macauley Jones | Holden | +33.540 |
| 18th | Tim Blanchard | Holden | +34.025 |
| 19th | Garry Jacobson | Nissan | +40.073 |
| 20th | Rick Kelly | Nissan | +52.162 |
| 21st | Richie Stanaway | Holden | +1 LAP |
| 22nd | Jack Le Brocq | Holden | +1 LAP |
| 23rd | Andre Heimgartner | Nissan | +2 LAPS |
| DNF | Scott Pye | Holden | |
| DNF | Chaz Mostert | Ford |
SUPERCARS: CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
AFTER RACE 12
| Position | Driver | Car | Points/Margin |
| 1st | Scott McLaughlin | Ford | 1346 |
| 2nd | Fabian Coulthard | Ford | -142 |
| 3rd | Shane van Gisbergen | Holden | -322 |
| 4th | David Reynolds | Holden | -375 |
| 5th | Chaz Mostert | Ford | -402 |
