After winning the event and final race last year, Jason Bright and Team BOC’s strong form has continued at Pukekohe Park Raceway.
Leading home local Shane van Gisbergen by 1.67sec, Bright clinched the ANZAC Day win for the Aussies and places himself first in the running for the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy.
Bright, who qualified on ARMOR ALL Pole Position, didn’t get the jump off the start, with Red Bull rival Jamie Whincup pouncing.
But a power steering drama put Whincup out of contention early, forcing the 2013 Champion into pit lane. He later rejoined, but finished 24th, a blow to his points haul.
Red flags interrupted the race as David Wall’s Falcon ploughed into the concrete at turn 10 after contact with fellow Ford driver Chaz Mostert. The incident will be investigated post race.
Plenty of battles emerged throughout the field – the Kiwi versus Aussie fire alive as Scott McLaughlin and Garth Tander fought in the top 10.
But iwasa Bright who banked the 75 points, which has pushed him into 10th in the Championship.
James Courtney, Will Davison, Nick Percat, Fabian Couthard, McLaughlin, Tander and James Moffat completed the top 10.
After a spin in qualifying and damage to his Pepsi Max Falcon, Winterbottom started 10th. He had improved several positions but after an off-track excursion in the closing laps, finished 13th.
Click here for full race results, which will also indicate standings for the event win.
Lowndes still leads the Championship from Winterbottom, Coulthard, Courtney and Whincup.
Click here for Championship points.
Tomorrow sees a practice session with two ARMOR ALL Qualifying sessions and two 100km races at the ITM 500 Auckland.
