Mark Winterbottom wins race two at Pukekohe

Mark Winterbottom took an important victory in the second V8 Supercars race at Pukekohe in New Zealand. The Ford Performance Racing driver started second but was first into the first corner and stayed in the lead for the rest of the race.

James Courtney had pole position for the race but was unable to defend the lead from the start. The HRT Holden driver had to settle for second, crossing the finishing line just under two seconds from Winterbottom.

The race was interrupted by a safety car session with about 25 laps remaining as Robert Dahlgren stopped on track due to a failed power steering.

Chaz Mostert made the day for Ford Performance Racing by scoring his first podium finish for Ford in third position, about five seconds adrift from winning team mate Winterbottom, a bright contrast to the first race where the Fords finished 13th and 21st.

Reigning champion Jamie Whincup finished fourth in the race, right ahead of Tekno Autosports driver Shane Van Gisbergen in fifth and Volvo Polestar Racing driver Scott McLaughlin in sixth position.

Triple Eight Race Engineering driver and championship leader Craig Lowndes had a tough race, starting 15th and lost one position in the race to finish 16th.

There was a tough fight between Holden drivers Tim Slade and Jason Bright. The two made contact through several corners, with Bright pushing Slade wide, resulting in a broken suspension for Slade and a drive-through penalty for Bright.