Volvo’s Scott McLaughlin has secured pole position for the final race of this weekend’s V8 Supercars round at Sydney Motorsport Park.

But things didn’t go so well for Ford championship leader Mark Winterbottom, who only managed to qualify 12th for the 52-lap battle.

McLaughlin topped the timesheets with a lap of 1min 30.1669secs around a damp track, ahead of Winterbottom’s Prodrive Racing Australia teammates David Reynolds and Chaz Mostert.

Holden driver Shane van Gisbergen and Ford’s Scott Pye rounded out the top five.

It marks just the second time McLaughlin has claimed pole in what’s been a disappointing 2015 for the Kiwi star.

Last season, he qualified fastest 10 times – including at Eastern Creek, which he converted to a win.

“That’s so cool,” the 22-year-old Kiwi said of his pole position.

“I didn’t expect that today. These boys gave me a great car and we were confident.

“Wet or dry, I’m looking forward to the race.”

Winterbottom holds a 267-point advantage atop the drivers’ standings, ahead of PRA teammate Mostert and Holden veteran Craig Lowndes who is a further nine points back.

Lowndes only managed to qualify in 18th, extending his poor outing in western Sydney.

His Red Bull Racing teammate Jamie Whincup, who broke a 15-race drought with a victory in Saturday’s second sprint, will start the race from eighth.

Rain is expected during Sunday’s race, which begins at 2pm (AEST).

TOP 10 QUALIFIERS FOR SUNDAY’S 52-LAP RACE

1. Scott McLaughlin (Volvo)

2. David Reynolds (Ford)

3. Chaz Mostert (Ford)

4. Shane van Gisbergen (Holden)

5. Scott Pye (Ford)

6. Lee Holdsworth (Holden)

7. Andre Heimgartner (Ford)

8. Jamie Whincup (Holden)

9. James Moffat (Nissan)

10. Fabian Coulthard (Holden)