David Reynolds and Jamie Whincup have shared Saturday’s V8 Supercars pole positions at the Auckland 500.

Reynolds, who was released from Prodrive Racing this week to join rival team Erebus in 2016, was the afternoon’s star performer around the Pukekohe circuit.

After taking second behind reigning champion Whincup in qualifying for the first of Saturday afternoon’s 60km races, he stormed to a new practice record of 1:02.469 to take pole for the later race.

Joining him on the front row for race 29 in the championship is Craig Lowndes.

The 41-year-old, who trails series leader Mark Winterbottom by 258 points, will make further inroads into the that gap if qualifying is any guide.

Lowndes will start in front of the Ford ace in both races; starting in sixth to Winterbottom’s seventh in the earlier race.

Winterbottom qualified sixth for the later race at the bumpy New Zealand track.

V8 SUPERCARS GRID: RACE 28 – START: 3PM LOCAL, 1PM AEDT

1. Jamie Whincup (Holden)

2. David Reynolds (Ford)

3. Scott Pye (Ford)

4. Shane Van Gisbergen (Holden)

6. Craig Lowndes (Holden)

7. Mark Winterbottom (Ford)

V8 SUPERCARS GRID: RACE 29 – START: 5PM LOCAL, 3PM AEDT

1. David Reynolds (Ford)

2. Craig Lowndes (Holden)

3. Scott McLaughlin (Volvo)

4. Jamie Whincup (Holden)

6. Mark Winterbottom (Ford)