Seven-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup has ended his longest winless streak in 13 years after capitalising on a stunning first lap in Saturday’s opening race at the Ipswich SuperSprint.
Whincup hadn’t won in 24 races, dating back to September 16 last year at Sandown, in what had been his longest drought since joining Triple Eight in 2006.
Holden star Whincup had started second on the grid and overtook championship leader Scott McLaughlin on the second turn before holding on for his 114th career win.
Milwaukee Racing’s Will Davison finished second for his first podium since winning Bathurst in 2016, while Tickford Racing star Chaz Mostert came third.
« I’ve been reminded in the last couple of months that I haven’t had a win for a while so it’s certainly fantastic to win, » Whincup said.
« Big thanks to all the Holden supporters for hanging in there – we’ve had a bit of a drought. It’s been a tough run but we’ve been chipping away and building a performance. »
McLaughlin – having won six of the past seven races – was also passed by Davison on the first lap and fell out of podium contention when Mostert took him at the halfway point.
Whincup has been on the podium six times this season and becomes just the fifth winner after 19 races this season, breaking the dominance of the Ford Mustangs.
DJR Team Penske duo McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard had won 15 of 18 races in 2019 heading into the race.
Davison celebrated like he’d won after getting on the podium for the first time in almost three years.
« I’m just rapt. What a day; it’s been a long time coming. I’m glad to just get the monkey off the back and, hopefully, there’s plenty more – amazing job, » Davison said.
Mostert emphasised the first lap was crucial but admitted he drove even better than expected.
« The first lap means a lot and that really kind of got us into position and I’m really surprised. I didn’t expect coming out of qualifiers that the car was going to hang onto those tyres well enough and it proved me wrong, » Mostert said.
« They (McLaughlin) went pretty aggressive on tyres so it’s great for our guys and the car. Normally, he has an aggressive strategy and hangs on so it was good to see it go the other way.
« I had a crack and it paid off for me. »
McLaughlin had secured a 100th pole position for DJR Team Penske but finished off the podium for just the second time in 11 races.
Mostert and McLaughlin are the only two drivers to have converted pole into victory at Ipswich in the past eight years.
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