Mostert snares Townsville V8s pole

In-form V8 Supercars star Chaz Mostert has dramatically snatched pole position from teammate Mark Winterbottom for the opening race of the Townsville 400.

Championship leader Winterbottom appeared certain to claim pole as time ran down on Saturday’s 20-minute qualifying session, leading the timesheets with lap of one minute and 12.9283 seconds.

But Mostert clocked a 1:12.8663 as time expired to steal pole position for the 200km race.

It’s the Prodrive Racing Australia driver’s sixth pole position of the season.

Winterbottom will start alongside his teammate from second on the grid with another Prodrive car, that of David Reynolds (1:12.9513), just behind them in third spot.

Volvo’s Scott McLaughlin, who had to replace a blown engine from Saturday morning’s practice, recovered to qualify fourth for the race alongside Reynolds.

DJR Team Penske’s Scott Pye has given himself a great chance to back up his fine form last time out in Darwin after qualifying fifth, alongside defending champion Jamie Whincup on the third row.

Whincup’s display was the Red Bull Racing star’s best of the weekend so far, giving hope he can end a run of poor form which has forced him down to a lowly eighth on the championship standings.

Holden veteran Craig Lowndes wasn’t able to emulate Whincup and will have to start from the middle of the pack in 14th.

Saturday’s 70-lap race starts at 4.15pm AEST.

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