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

James Pavey

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

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.


 

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


 

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

Position Driver Car Margin
1st Scott McLaughlin Ford  
2nd Chaz Mostert Ford +1.301
3rd David Reynolds Holden +8.949
4th James Courtney Holden +9.530
5th Shane van Gisbergen Holden +17.211
6th Jamie Whincup Holden +18.424
7th Nick Percat Holden +21.663
8th Andre Heimgartner Nissan +31.711
9th Mark Winterbottom Holden +34.381
10th Scott Pye Holden +34.672
11th Cameron Waters Ford +35.552
12th Will Davison Ford +35.921
13th Tim Slade Holden +36.128
14th Rick Kelly Nissan +37.177
15th Fabian Coulthard Ford +37.576
16th Lee Holdsworth Ford +41.636
17th Macauley Jones Holden +42.057
18th James Golding Holden +52.679
19th Anton de Pasquale Holden +53.128
20th Todd Hazelwood Holden +53.560
21st Jack Le Brocq Holden +55.677
22nd Garry Jacobson Nissan +56.520
23rd Simona De Silvestro Nissan +1:12.634
24th Jack Smith Holden +1 LAP
25th Richie Stanaway Holden +1 LAP

SUPERCARS: CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

AFTER RACE 13

Position Driver Car Points/Margin
1st Scott McLaughlin Ford 1496
2nd Fabian Coulthard Holden -232
3rd Shane van Gisbergen Ford -361
4th David Reynolds Holden -396
5th Chaz Mostert Ford -414

James Pavey

James Pavey Photo