There is life in Jamie Whincup’s Supercars career yet, with the Holden veteran claiming the first race of the Townsville Supersprint from pole.
The Red Bull ace continued his love-affair with the Reid Park street circuit to win his 11th race in Townsville and the 121st of his glittering career.
Whincup was barely challenged for his third win of 2020, crossing the line almost seven seconds ahead of Ford’s Cameron Waters, while Holden’s Chaz Mostert came in third.
“I lost radio on about lap 10 so I didn’t get the chequered flag, it was sort of out but he didn’t know if it was me or not,” Whincup said.
“I just remember the old man always said just keep going until you get the chequered flag.
“I was trying to wing it with no radio, but happy with the win and the car was excellent.
“I just like the place (Townsville), I’m always pretty relaxed, it’s a good track.”
The result ended two-time defending champion Scott McLaughlin’s hot streak after clean sweeping all three races in Darwin last week.
The Ford flyer endured a rare qualifying nightmare to start the 39-lap race from 16th, but made up enough ground in his battered Mustang to finish seventh.
The race began in dramatic fashion, with a six-car pile-up instantly sending Erebus’ Anton de Pasquale back 15 places.
McLaughlin narrowly avoided disaster, but still copped some damage to the rear of his Ford.
It brought back memories of his infamous run-in with Holden rival David Reynolds in Townsville last year, which sparked a feud between the pair.
“I tried to hold back a little bit and then I saw smoke and an Erebus car spun out – we’ve seen that before (with Reynolds in 2019),” McLaughlin said.
“We got through there pretty good, but I copped a massive whack up the backside so we were a little bit damaged.”
Whincup cut McLaughlin’s championship lead back to 141 points ahead of Sunday’s two races.
TOWNSVILLE SUPERSPRINT RACE ONE
1. Jamie Whincup (Holden)
2. Cameron Waters (Ford)
3. Chaz Mostert (Holden)
4. Fabian Coulthard (Ford)
5. David Reynolds (Holden)
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Scott McLaughlin (Ford) 1388 pts
2. Jamie Whincup 1247
3. Chaz Mostert 1058
4. Shane van Gisbergen 1011
5. Cameron Waters 985
