Holdsworth hands Erebus maiden V8 Supercars win

Lee Holdsworth scored Erebus Motorsport’s first V8 Supercars victory with a late-race pass on Fabian Coulthard in Race 8 at Winton.

The #4 Mercedes took the lead with just three laps remaining as tyre life again proved a crucial factor.

Pole-sitter Coulthard had lost the front-running to Scott McLaughlin off the start, before regaining the lead when the Volvo was forced to pit with an electrical problem nine laps in.

Coulthard managed the gap back to Holdsworth for much of the race, but eventually fell to third behind the Mercedes and an equally fast-finishing Mark Winterbottom.

David Reynolds and David Wall made it three Fords in the top five, while James Moffat, Jason Bright, Will Davison, James Courtney and Chaz Mostert completed the top 10.

“(I’m) pretty emotional over the last 12 months and what’s gone during the week (home invasion) hasn’t helped,” said Holdsworth post-race.

“I’m so proud of my boys at Erebus. We’re looking for a sponsor at the moment and this is the best way to try and find one.

“We’re up the front and here to stay I think.”

By contrast to the three Safety Cars seen during Race 7, the day’s second encounter ran green for its duration.

Those to struggle for tyre life included Shane van Gisbergen, who ran as high as fifth early before sliding back to 20th by the flag.

Red Bull duo Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes found the going tough from their poor qualifying positions, with the former turning 21st on the grid into 19th and the latter finishing 16th from 23rd.

The results see Coulthard close to within 19 points of series leader Lowndes, with Whincup 58 points further adrift in third.

A final qualifying session and 200km Race 9 of the championship will complete the Winton 400 on Sunday.

See below results for Race 8

See below for the updated points standings