McLaughlin gets better of Whincup with key win

Scott McLaughlin has laughed last and loudest after a dramatic Supercars weekend at New Zealand’s Pukekohe Park, winning yesterday’s race to restore a buffer at the top of the championship standings.

McLaughlin won a strategic battle with Jamie Whincup to wrest control of the race, holding the pacy pole-sitter at bay for more than 30 laps in front of a buoyant home crowd.

The battle was fierce during the final stages as Whincup stayed less than a second behind McLaughlin and sought any angle or opportunity to pass.

McLaughlin held firm, reasserting his championship credentials for a win made all the more meritorious by the events of the previous two days.

On Friday, he was forced to abandon practice after a crash that left his garage a late-night repair job.

The 25-year-old finished second behind title rival Shane van Gisbergen on Saturday, enduring an on-track and psychological battering from his countryman.

But yesterday was McLaughlin’s day as he enjoyed improved race pace and a superior pit-stop strategy to return to the top of the podium for the first time in 10 races.

McLaughlin’s emotion was evident in his celebrations. He jumped on the fence in front of the main grandstand and then again on his car in jubilation.

“I’ve got to choose my words wisely because I’m going to swear,” he said.

“There was immense pressure from Jamie. All these fans, I’ve haven’t won here since 2013 and it means so much. It’s unreal.”