Jamie Whincup wins second qualifying race to claim Sandown pole
Jamie Whincup withstood hard pressure from Prodrive Racing Australia driver Mark Winterbottom and Chaz Mostert to win the second qualifying race and claim pole ahead of tomorrow’s Sandown 500 main race.
The reigning champion started from pole and was immediately challenged by Winterbottom and Mostert. The fight laster all the way to the penultimate lap after a safety car restart.
The safety car session was caused by Superblack Racing driver Andre Heimgartner spinning his Ford Falcon and being collected by Jack Perkins who was unable to avoid the stationary Kiwi.
The race was resumed with just one lap left and it looked like Winterbottom was about to make his move on Whincup for the lead. But Winterbottom ran wide, allowing Mostert alongside briefly with minor contact between the Ford team mates.
Tekno Autosports driver Shane van Gisbergen and Rod Nash Racing driver David Reynolds were right behind the fighting top trio, but never close enough to try an overtaking attempt. Van Gisbergen crossed the line in fourth position and Reynolds fifth.
Craig Lowndes received a drive through penalty which dropped him to 23rd position after pushing Holden Racing Team driver Jack Perkins off track from sixth position.
Tim Slade, Lee Holdsworth, Will Davison, Fabian Coulthard and Nick Percat rounded off the top ten.
The result of this qualifying race determines the grid for the 500 kilometer race of tomorrow.
