Ford flyer Scott McLaughlin is in the box seat to equal the legendary Peter Brock on the all-time Supercars win list after qualifying fastest for Sunday’s first race.
Two-time defending series champion McLaughlin claimed the 65th pole of his career with a scorching qualifying lap around the Sydney Motorsport Park circuit.
The Shell V-Power ace will have to do it from third in Sunday’s second 32-lap race after Kelly Racing young gun Andre Heimgartner secured the first pole of his career to edge out Holden legend Jamie Whincup.
McLaughlin extended his lead in the 2020 championship after winning Saturday night’s opening race of the Sydney Supersprint under the new permanent lights at the Eastern Creek venue.
It was the New Zealander’s 47th career race victory and edged him within one win of the late Brock’s mark.
If 27-year-old McLaughlin, who has tyres in hand, can complete the clean sweep of the weekend’s three races on Sunday afternoon he will move into fifth on the all-time win list.
Only Whincup, retired Holden legends Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife, as well as Garth Tander will be in front of McLaughlin.
The Kiwi McLaughlin claimed his fourth win from six starts in 2020 despite relinquishing an early lead as Red Bull Holden rival Shane van Gisbergen roared to the front.
After the victory, McLaughlin said it would be an “awesome” achievement if he is able to go past Brock at this stage of his career.
“It’s every driver’s dream to be competitive in a race series and be as good as you can be,” he said.
“I’ve been very lucky to have a great car the last few years and got a number of my wins with (Shell V-Power).
“Hopefully we can pass that sooner rather than later because that means we’re going well, but a really proud achievement for myself and my family.”
Sunday’s first race gets under way at 12.25 pm, with the second starting at 2.50 pm.
QUALIFYING FOR SUNDAY’S RACE ONE
1. Scott McLaughlin (Ford)
2. Shane van Gisbergen (Holden)
3. Nick Percat (Holden)
4. Andre Heimgartner (Ford)
5. Fabian Coulthard (Ford)
QUALIFYING FOR SUNDAY’S RACE TWO
1. Andre Heimgartner (Ford)
2. Jamie Whincup (Holden)
3. Scott McLaughlin (Ford)
4. Mark Winterbottom (Holden)
5. David Reynolds (Holden)
