Supercars: Scott McLaughlin survives intra-team clash to claim Winton thriller

In one of the races of the season, Scott McLaughlin has beaten Chaz Mostert in a Winton thriller.

Action was the word of the day from start to finish, with an incident between Shell V-Power Racing teammates McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard the major talking point.

Polesitter Mostert finished just over a second behind McLaughlin at the flag, with David Reynolds the first Holden home in third.

The race began in earnest, with a first-lap tangle getting those in the Shell garage hot under the collar.

SUPERCARS:  Everything you need to know about the 2019 Supercars Championship

Mostert and Coulthard exchanged paint at the first corner, opening the door to James Courtney and David Reynolds.

As the field entered the turn five sweeper, Coulthard nudged McLaughlin, and both Shell Fords went off the road.

While Coulthard rejoined as soon as possible, McLaughlin cut across the circuit and rejoined at turn nine. He let Courtney and Reynolds through and rejoined in third, Mostert remonstrating over the radio.

HUGE 💥

Contact between @smclaughlin93 and @fabiancoulthard, they are both off the road!#VASC pic.twitter.com/IEWrgsrWdy

— Supercars (@supercars) May 25, 2019

Reynolds then sent Courtney wide at turn four, allowing the two Mustangs through. Reynolds later copped a five second penalty for the incident.

The pass for the lead by Reynolds on Courtney.

Not without a bit of controversy itself! This race is action packed!#VASC pic.twitter.com/yIwe4rvBZS

— Supercars (@supercars) May 25, 2019

Coulthard was later hit with a 15 second penalty for his role in the first lap incident - and wasn't happy, despite saying after the race he "broke team policy" in punting McLaughlin wide at the start. He eventually finished 15th.

As Reynolds served his penalty during his pit stop, McLaughlin emerged in the effective lead ahead of a racy Mostert, who wanted to regain top spot.

It never eventuated for the Tickford star, who had to settle for second as McLaughlin claimed his ninth win of the season - as many wins as he managed in 2018.

It was a salvage job from Red Bull Holden, with Shane van Gisbergen and Jamie Whincup improving to fifth and sixth at the flag after struggling in qualifying.

Ahead of the duo was James Courtney, who grabbed his best result of the season with fourth.

Nick Percat's consistent season continued with a seventh-place finish, ahead of Andre Heimgartner, who put in a brilliant effort to rise from 20th at the start. Mark Winterbottom and Scott Pye completed the top 10.

McLaughlin extended his points lead over Coulthard to 232 points ahead of Sunday's race 14, which gets underway at 1345 AEST.

SUPERCARS: WINTON SUPERSPRINT

RACE 13 RESULTS

SUPERCARS: CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

AFTER RACE 13