Jamie Whincup has made light work of the first V8 Supercars race of the season, easing to victory in the opening race of the Clipsal 500.

His first win of the season is a historic one, equalling Mark Skaife’s 90 race victories to sit second on the list of the sport’s greatest winners.

The Red Bull Racing driver was first out of the blocks from pole position, rounding turn one in front and never ceding the race lead.

A late yellow flag meant Whincup had to survive a final lap assault from Bathurst champion Chaz Mostert, but the six-time champion prevailed.

Mostert improved his grid position to finish second, with Holden’s Fabian Coulthard completing the podium.

The hottest on-track action took place before the red lights dropped to started the season.

Scott McLaughlin’s race was over before it began, his Volvo erupting with flames on the warm-up lap.

The Kiwi speedster qualified third fastest but had to leap from his car after bringing it under control.

McLaughlin said sitting out the first race “just sucks”, but team engineers should have the No.33 Volvo back in time for Saturday’s second race.

“The oil pump’s gone and just dropped a heap of oil,” McLaughlin said.

After a short break to mop up the oil, the race stuck firmly to script, with Whincup unchallenged.

Further back, Mostert’s overtaking move came from pit lane.

The Ford tyro was the last to pit of the frontrunners, and emerged from pit lane just in front of Shane van Gisbergen to steal se coned place.

Two veterans of the tour, Craig Lowndes and Mark Winterbottom, were the big climbers from the grid to finish fourth and fifth.

James Courtney’s effort to start the season on a high note was cruelled by a pit-stop gaffe, pushing the former champion down the order. He would finish 10th.

A yellow flag was issued late when debutant Andre Heimgartner turned into the overtaking Dale Wood, suffering a further collision with Mercedes’ Ash Walsh.

Walsh’s Erebus teammate Will Davison was forced to retire on the same lap with a power issue.

Further down the field, two-time champion Marcos Ambrose was able to improve his 24th place to 16th on his return to the sport.

V8 SUPERCARS: CLIPSAL 500 RACE ONE RESULTS

1. Jamie Whincup (Holden)

2. Chaz Mostert (Ford)

3. Fabian Coulthard (Holden)

4. Craig Lowndes (Holden)

5. Mark Winterbottom (Ford)