Chaz Mostert has claimed his first victory of the 2019 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, as Scott McLaughlin’s run of wins ended pre-race.
Tickford Racing’s Mostert took a comfortable win in the third leg of the Beaurepaires Melbourne 400, leading home Jamie Whincup and Tim Slade.
Set to start on the front row, McLaughlin and Cameron Waters made contact on their way to the grid, with damage ruling both Mustangs out of proceedings.
Earlier in the day for the second race of the round, McLaughlin got a solid start from pole to lead into the first corner of the 13-lap sprint around the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit. Cameron Waters was in in second. McLaughlin set the fastest lap of the race on lap three, and had a two-second lead by lap five.
As they started the last lap McLaughlin was three-seconds ahead of Chaz Mostert, eventually winning the 1000th ever Australian Touring Car/Supercars race by 2.5s to maintain his perfect start to 2019. Coulthard finished fifth.
McLaughlin again dedicated the victory to the people of Christchurch, his home town.
McLaughlin continues to lead the Championship by 24 points over Whincup. The team remains at the top of the Teams’ Points, with a 64 point lead over Triple Eight.
DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
1. Scott McLaughlin 450
2. Jamie Whincup 426 -24
3. Chaz Mostert 391 -59
4. Will Davison 388 -62
5. Tim Slade 358 -92
6. Fabian Coulthard 350 -100
7. David Reynolds 338 -112
8. Nick Percat 325 -125
9. Shane Van Gisbergen 310 -140
10. Cameron Waters 306 -144
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