Second-placed Shane van Gisbergen called it post-race – Race Seven at Winton Raceway was “BJR party” up the front.
Pole man Fabian Coulthard led van Gisbergen from start to finish, and with a late race penalty handed to Russell Ingall, Dale Wood reclaimed third and finished on the podium, with Brad Jones Racing teammate Jason Bright fourth, a strong showing for the small team.
The result sees Coulthard jump Jamie Whincup in the Championship standings, 55 points behind leader Craig Lowndes. Click here for the points table.
Valvoline Racing GRM is racing the clock, replacing the engine in Scott McLaughlin’s Volvo ahead of this afternoon’s front row start, after a drama early that saw the S60 spewing smoke. McLaughlin triggered the first Pedders Chrysler Safety Car, with Ingall taking the opportunity to pit for fresh tyres, while the rest powered on.
And they powered on – chaos unfolded with contact between a number of cars, with Walkinshaw stablemates James Courtney and Tim Slade involved in incidents and failing to finish the race.
Todd Kelly’s stationary Jack Daniel’s Nissan stranded between turns three and four almost immediately triggered another safety car. And while Mark Winterbottom and Jamie Whincup had to drive through the field to make up for ordinary qualifying results, it was 24th starter Ingall and his new rubber everyone was watching.
Carving through the field on the freshest tyres, The Enforcer pushed a little two hard, turning David Wall around and earning himself a late drive-through penalty.
Lowndes dropped back as his tyres faded away, and it was BJR who capitalised with Wood, and Bright edging closer to the podium.
Behind Bright in fourth it was Lee Holdsworth and Will Davison’s Erebus Mercedes’, Mark Winterbottom – who started 23rd – Lowndes, Whincup and Ingall (after rejoining).
Others to note include Garth Tander 15 and first Nissan Kelly in 17.
Race Eight kicks off at 4.25pm local time, with Coulthard once again starting from ARMOR ALL Pole Position.
