Lowndes leads Holden whitewash in Symmons Plains practice

Craig Lowndes has made the perfect start to a potentially record setting weekend for the Red Bull Holden driver by clocking the fastest time in Friday practice at Symmons Plains

The 38-year-old, who will take the all-time win record from Mark Skaife if he can score a victory in any of the three races this weekend, set the quickest time of the day after the chequered flag fell in Practice 3.

Lowndes’ 51.38s effort saw the #888 Holden jump from sixth to the top of the order.

Lowndes’ team-mate Jamie Whincup and Brad Jones Racing’s Fabian Coulthard were second and third respectively having also found themselves at the top during various stages of the final minute.

Standout rookie Scott McLaughlin was fourth after setting his best time midway through the 30 minutes.

A red flag following an incident between Maro Engel and Michael Caruso at the Turn 4 hairpin had set-up the final flurry of fast times, with the field turned green again with just four minutes remaining.

The Red Bull Holdens had both appeared from pitlane with new soft compound tyres moments before the red flags flew.

James Courtney and Jason Bright were fifth and sixth at session’s end respectively, ensuring Holden drivers locked out the top half dozen places.

Mark Winterbottom completed a solid day’s work in seventh ahead of Alexandre Premat, Dean Fiore and Scott Pye.

Several at the bottom of the order, including the Norton Nissans of James Moffat and Michael Caruso and the Dick Johnson Racing Fords of Tim Blanchard and Jonny Reid, ran only on the hard compound tyres today.

A fourth and final practice session will take place tomorrow morning ahead of qualifying.

See below for the Practice 3 result