Penske star’s perfect victory
SCOTT McLaughlin bounced back to flog the field and reemerge as a genuine championship contender as DJR Team Penske scored another victory in Darwin.
The 24- year- old went toe to toe with Supercars great Jamie Whincup and again got the better of the Red Bull Holden Racing Team star, scorching his way to the line to win by almost four seconds.
After a self- described “brain- fart’’ cost him a Saturday triumph at Hidden Valley, McLaughlin set up an inchperfect top- 10 shootout victory in the Shell Ford.
The Kiwi star and future champion celebrated Penske’s eighth win of the year by literally driving the wheels off his car during a lap- long burnout.
“I am pretty pumped with the race win but the burnout probably wasn’t too good,’’ McLaughlin said.
“I am stoked to be able to get the opportunity to do a victory burnout and I have to thank the team.
“I just had really good pace and that allowed us to take the best strategy.’’
McLaughlin all but won the race on lap 35 when he took his second pit- stop and race leader Whincup opted to stay out.
Whincup didn’t react to the undercut move that ultimately cost him the lead, and instead powered on for another six laps before pitting. But conceding a five- litre fuel advantage to McLaughlin virtually rendered a reaction pointless.
Pushing on for a potential late tyre gain was the only play for the Holden gun. But Whin- cup ended up trailing by more than three seconds following his final stop.
McLaughlin was untouchable in the final stages, extending his lead to six seconds with 14 laps remaining.
“I had a good battle with Jamie there but we got it home,’’ McLaughlin said.
James Moffat was contending for drive of the day until 11 laps to go when a failed tyre ended his race.
The son of touring car legend Allan Moffat was in sixth place with his Garry Rogers Motorsport when disaster struck.
“It is very frustrating,’’ GRM boss Garry Rogers said.
“He had great pace all weekend.’’
Whincup dominated the first half of the race before succumbing to Penske power.
“We had a crack,’’ Whincup said. “We just didn’t quite have the tyre life of No. 17. But we made some good inroads and improvement to the car this weekend. We will leave happy.’’
McLaughlin moved to within just 16 points of championship leader Coulthard after his teammate finished fourth.