Craig Lowndes says his two-year wait for a Supercars race win is easy to explain.
It’s because it’s gotten harder and harder to win a race.
Lowndes would know – his drought-ending success was his 106th in the sport.
The popular 43-year-old defied his age and relative form to win from pole position at Symmons Plains on Sunday.
He said it was a « great relief » to claim the result in Tasmania.
« As race drivers you always want to drive with confidence and belief but until you win races and do things … it’s always disappointing, » he said.
« The competition in Supercars right now is probably the toughest I’ve ever seen.
« 25 other cars our there that have got great resources, sponsorship, drivers, equipment, teams, everything else. It’s really hard.
« You make a mistake in qualifying for a tenth (of a second) and it’s not one spot any more. It’s five or six.
« I think I qualified 17th at the grand prix. I was 0.5 (seconds) off pole.
« It really is quite a tough category at the moment but that’s the beauty of it. »
Until the win, Lowndes’ last success came at Ipswich in 2016.
He also ended a three-year wait for a pole position on Sunday, with his last qualifying victory coming at Ipswich in 2015.
He said he wasn’t driven by a desire to stop the rot.
« We don’t go out there and remember the last time we won or pole position. We just go out there and try our best, » he said.
« It’s great for the team.
« Last year we were up and down like a yoyo. Hopefully this time rolls on for a more consistent year. »
http://www.espn.com/v8-supercars/story/_/id/23072813/lowndes-relieved-supercars-success
