FIVE PAIRINGS TO SHAPE SANDOWN
Car 1 – Holden – Qualified: 1st
Jamie Whincup (1st in championship) & co-driver Paul Dumbrell
The established pairing of five-time V8 Supercars winner Jamie Whincup and current development series leader Paul Dumbrell will start favourites. With Whincup’s championship-leading Red Bull Racing Holden, their form, pole position and strong racing relationship, it will take something special to stop car number one ending up in position one.
Car 22 – Volvo – Qualified: 4th
Scott McLaughlin (8th) & co-driver Alexandre Premat
The Volvo pairing of McLaughlin and Premat tore up practice – winning three of four sessions. The international pair maintained the pace through Saturday qualifying, never dropping out of the top four. Kiwi McLaughlin also brings the form of his last-out win in Sydney.
Car 97 – Holden – Qualified: 2nd
Shane Van Gisbergen (4th) & co-driver Jonathon Webb
Two wins in Sydney has Van Gisbergen right in the title race, and the New Zealander could have a car and team to break his endurance duck. His highly regarded co-driver Webb’s strong run in his qualifying race shows the pair to be a formidable outfit during the 500 kilometre race.
Car 5 – Ford – Qualified: 3rd
Mark Winterbottom (2nd) & co-driver Steve Owen
Winterbottom’s form slump has handed a championship lead to Whincup but the reigning Bathurst champion has a fire in his belly and a strong qualifying performance at Sandown to put him back in the mix. Co-driver Steve Owen was steady and sure on Saturday and if he number five car has the pace on Sunday, it will threaten.
Car 888 – Holden – Qualified: 7th
Craig Lowndes (3rd) & co-driver Steve Richards
It’s impossible to ignore the record of the two men tasked with steering the 888 car to a result at Sandown. Lowndes has five Bathursts and Richards three, while Lowndes leads all-comers with nine race wins here. Neither could mount a challenge for the front rows in qualifying but will like their chances during the long race.