Home

Townsville Supersprint: Jamie Whincup starts reeling in rival Scott McLaughlin

Oliver CaffreyThe West Australian
CommentsComments
Jamie Whincup poses after wining race two of the Supercars NTI Townsville SuperSprint.
Camera IconJamie Whincup poses after wining race two of the Supercars NTI Townsville SuperSprint. Credit: MARK HORSBURGH/PR IMAGE

It was Jamie Whincup’s weekend, but Supercars championship leader Scott McLaughlin still salvaged a victory from a horror start to the Townsville Supersprint.

Ford flyer McLaughlin ended the first of consecutive rounds in North Queensland by winning the final race of the event from pole on Sunday.

The two-time defending champion was off the podium in the round’s first two races as star Holden veteran Whincup secured back-to-back wins.

But McLaughlin performed better in qualifying for race three at Reid Park to set him on his way to a 52nd career victory and ninth of 2020.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Tickford Racing’s Cameron Waters put together an impressive race to give Ford a 1-2 finish, while Whincup capped off a productive event to cross the line in third.

The result again gives McLaughlin some breathing space in the championship standings after Whincup cut the gap in the first two races.

The Game AFL 2024

The Shell V-Power ace headed to Townsville 177 points in front of Whincup after clean-sweeping all three races in Darwin.

An exhausted McLaughlin was relieved to respond from his early-round struggles and take confidence into another three races in Townsville next weekend.

“Awesome battle with Cam (Waters), he was fast. A bit of work to do but really happy,” McLaughlin said.

“To get a win on a tough weekend is a great thing.

“Every win is a goal. You start on pole, you want to win and I feel good physically. But it’s hard without a cool suit.”

Whincup will be hoping his love-affair with the Townsville circuit continues after claiming his 12th win at Reid Park.

“Try to win the round (that was the goal), which we did so we’ll go away happy,” Whincup said.

“Crazy we’ll do it all again next week, but we’ll have a break in the next couple of days, service the car and go out there again in five days time.

“We’ve got to keep chipping away, it’s our responsibility to make the championship a strong one and make sure it’s not one car dominating.”

TOWNSVILLE SUPERSPRINT RACE TWO

1. Jamie Whincup (Holden)

2. Chaz Mostert (Holden)

3. Shane van Gisbergen (Holden)

4. Cameron Waters (Ford)

5. Nick Percat (Holden)

TOWNSVILLE SUPERSPRINT RACE THREE

1. Scott McLaughlin (Ford)

2. Cameron Waters

3. Jamie Whincup

4. Nick Percat

5. Todd Hazelwood (Holden)

SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

1. Scott McLaughlin 1556 pts

2. Jamie Whincup 1433

3. Chaz Mostert 1172

4. Shane van Gisbergen, Cameron Waters 1157

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails