Scott McLaughlin continues to lead the Supercars Championship but Shane van Gisbergen fired a warning shot at Queensland Raceway with his second race win in as many rounds.
The two New Zealanders shared the victory spoils in the two races across the two days, with van Gisbergen finishing second to McLaughlin on Saturday before turning the tables on Sunday.
With Sunday’s race free of Safety Car interruptions, it came down to a straight fight between the two Kiwis. After getting the best of the start, van Gisbergen’s Red Bull Holden Racing Team Commodore was too good for McLaughlin’s DJT Team Penske Falcon.
“It was a good battle, he got back to me at the end but what a day,” Van Gisbergen said.
“Scotty is consistent and their team is on top of their game but I am enjoying the fight. Battling these guys every week up front, I am just loving it.”
Behind them on Sunday, Chaz Mostert barely held out Jamie Whincup for the final podium position in what Ford driver Mostert said felt was ‘like a win’ in a season that has not panned out the way Mostert and Tickford Racing had anticipated.
“It’s been a real tough year,” Mostert said. “To get a trophy gets the monkey off the back for the year. The car showed it could run with the front guys this weekend.
“You take it for granted when you get up here a few times. It’s not until you don’t get it and you are going through a slump it feels like the very first time.”
With Craig Lowndes claiming third on Saturday, reigning champ Whincup was left with a pair of fourth place results from the weekend which sees him drift further behind McLaughlin and van Gisbergen in the points battle.
Pole position in both races for McLaughlin moves the young Kiwi to third in the all-time list of pole winners, ahead of Lowndes and behind only Peter Brock and Whincup.
Next round of the Supercars Championship is the night race meeting at Sydney Motorsport Park on August 4.
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