McLaughlin wins thriller on V8s return
FORD flyer Scott McLaughlin is still the one to beat after blitzing the field from pole in the first Supercars race since February.
The two-time defending champion showed no signs of rust as the championship resumed at Sydney Motorsport Park yesterday, producing a dominant drive in the first of three 33-lap races this weekend.
Despite the best efforts of Red Bull Holden’s Shane van Gisbergen, McLaughlin secured a stunning victory – the 45th of his Supercars career.
The 27-year-old is just three wins away from equalling legend Peter Brock in fifth place on the all-time series win list.
Van Gisbergen closed in on his New Zealand rival during a thrilling finale, but McLaughlin held off several overtaking attempts at a spectator-less track. ‘‘He’s like a cockroach, I can never get rid of him, he’s always around,’’ McLaughlin said. ‘‘I knew I was going to be in a little bit of trouble in that last stint because of the way he came at me in the first. It was a tough last five laps.’’
Seven-time champion Jamie Whincup rounded out the podium, but finished well back from the two frontrunners.
‘‘These guys were too quick today and very fast out of the gate this morning so we’ll have a look at it tonight,’’ Whincup said.
McLaughlin and Whincup won the only two previously completed races of the season so far, sharing honours at the Adelaide 500 in February.
Practice sessions were held for the Australian Grand Prix round in March before the Covid-19 pandemic forced its cancellation.
McLaughlin will enter today’s two races after extending his early championship lead to 47 points ahead of Whincup.
Van Gisbergen has plenty of ground to make up after failing to finish in Adelaide.