Red Bull Holden Racing Team’s Jamie Whincup has won the first leg of the Superloop Adelaide 500 at the opening round of the 2020 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.
“It’s such a good feeling to start the year off with a win,” commented Whincup. “Obviously (David) Cauchi (#88 Race Engineer) gave me a rocket today. The car was great and the guys did a fantastic job with strategy.
“The other boys were quick, but we were able to maximise our track position and grabbing pole earlier in the day helped our cause. The tyre degradation was much better than we thought.
“Everyone has been speculating that the dampers weren’t going to hold up but there were no issues there. I’m so happy to start the year with a win, even starting the decade with a win. Overall, we had a great day and I can’t help but think we’ve got all day tomorrow to do it all again.”
Defending champion Scott McLaughlin started his title defence taking a hard-fought strategy driven podium.
“It’s a credit to the team here at Shell V-Power Racing, that strategy was awesome,” said McLAughlin. “My car pace in taffic wasn’t that good, so getting me into fresh air and allowing me to hustle was really good.
“We need to improve the car in traffic, or qualify on pole and lead tomorrow. Good job to Jamie and his crew. A great start to the year for us. Thanks to all our partners, it’s going to be a great season.”
McLaughlin struggled in traffic early, before the team put him on an alternate strategy from lap eight to give him fresh tyres and clean air. It allowed the Car No.17 pilot to drive to the front of the pack, and despite some late race challenges from Shane van Gisbergen, McLaughlin took a strong second place finish.
“In the race we did a decent strategy, but we just kept getting held up and couldn’t get clear,” said van Gisbergin. “The cars were awesome, so it’s a pretty decent way to start the year, that’s for sure. I think it’s awesome after this week and the news about Holden to start the year so well and see the team so stoked. I was trying real hard to make it a one-two, but I couldn’t quite get there.”
Race 2 of the 2020 championship will conclude the Adelaide 500 tomorrow.
Race One Results
- Jamie Whincup
- Scott McLaughlin
- Shane Van Gisbergen
- David Reynolds
- Will Davison
- Cameron Waters
- Chaz Mostert
- Mark Winterbottom
- Rick Kelly
- Fabian Coulthard
- Andre Heimgartner
- Lee Holdsworth
- Todd Hazelwood
- Anton De Pasquale
- Scott Pye
- Jack Le Brocq
- Macauley Jones
- Zane Goddard
- Chris Pither
- Jack Smith
- Bryce Fullwood
- Nick Percat
- James Courtney
- Garry Jacobson
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