Scott McLaughlin makes it a double at Phillip Island

Scott McLaughlin claimed both victories at Phillip Island, crowning a perfect Supercars Championship weekend by winning the second race ahead of Erebus Motorsport driver David Reynolds.

The DJR Team Penske driver headed the field from pole position, but lost the lead during an early safety car session. James Courtney’s Holden Commodore had stopped at the pit entrance and the following safety car triggered the entire field to head for the pits.

McLaughlin dropped behind Reynolds and Nissan Motorsport driver Rick Kelly, who had then taken the lead.

As the race progressed, McLaughlin nearing the lead, passing Reynolds after a pit stop, an almost identical move to the one he made for the lead yesterday on Jamie Whincup. The Ford driver passed Kelly while the Nissan driver completed a longer final pit stop.

McLaughlin won the race just seven-tenths of a second ahead of Reynolds, while Kelly completed the podium in another strong race for Nissan Motorsport.

Fabian Coulthard made it two DJR Team Penske cars in the top five with fourth position, while Michael Caruso made it two Nissan Altimas in the top five.

Shane van Gisbergen crossed the line in sixth ahead of Triple Eight team-mate Craig Lowndes in seventh. The duo made contact at the very end of the race, leaving Lowndes unhappy but no penalty issued by the stewards.

Chaz Mostert was eighth for Tickford Racing in his Ford Falcon, while Jamie Whincup had a tough race in his Triple Eight Holden to finish ninth ahead of Garry Rogers Motorsport driver Garth Tander in tenth.

McLaughlin has extended his championship lead to 947 points, 60 points ahead of Reynolds in second, and 98 points ahead of van Gisbergen in third.

Whincup, who headed the standings ahead of the weekend, has dropped to fifth behind Lowndes, 142 points behind McLaughlin.

The next Supercars Championship race will be held on May 5-6th at Barbagallo Raceway.