Scott McLaughlin assumed the Supercars championship lead after cruising to victory in the opening 200km heat of the Watpac Townsville 400.

The DJR Team Penske Ford driver initially lost his pole position advantage to the Red Bull Holden of Jamie Whincup before recovering the lead by the end of the opening lap.

Once ahead, the Kiwi was in command retaining the lead after completing both his mandatory pit stops as he cruised to his fifth championship race victory of the season.

Whincup put up a valiant fight throughout but was left to settle for second, while Prodrive’s Mark Winterbottom completed the podium, after starting from sixth.

However, the championship took a decisive twist as Fabian Coulthard, who had held a 10 point series lead, salvaged an 11th place finish after being turned around on the opening lap.

His demise allowed McLaughlin to open up an 18 point championship lead over Whincup, as Coulthard dropped to third in the standings.

Whincup made the best start to lead pole-sitter McLaughlin as the field streamed into Turn 2.

It was at this point where the action intensified as a concertina effect resulted in a spin for Coulthard.

Garry Rogers Motorsport’s Garth Tander made contact with the rear of Tim Slade (Brad Jones Racing), who then touched the rear of Coulthard’s Falcon into a spin, dropping him down the order.

Todd Kelly’s Nissan then collected the Falcon while James Courtney (Mobil 1 HSV Racing) sustained damage, which forced the pair into the garage. The duo rejoined the race nine laps down.

At the front, McLaughlin managed to pass Whincup for the lead as Winterbottom jumped from sixth to third ahead of team-mates Chaz Mostert and Cameron Waters.

Once ahead, McLaughlin began to stamp his authority on the race by opening a two second margin over Whincup.

The Kiwi elected to make his first stop on lap 18 where he took on 50 litres of fuel while Whincup pitted a lap later, taking on 10 litres more than his rival.

McLaughlin regained the lead as Whincup dropped to fourth behind Winterbottom and Mostert.

However, Whincup ignited a charge passing Mostert at the final corner on lap 28.

He went on to take second from Winterbottom with a slick pass at Turn 2 shortly after as he set his sights on leader McLaughlin.

McLaughlin was 6.6s up the road although he faced a longer second pit stop.

Behind, Shane van Gisbergen charged up to fifth by passing Waters with David Reynolds (Erebus Motorsport) seventh, ahead of Craig Lowndes, who had climbed from 19th to eighth, aided by a short first stop.

The two leaders elected to make their final stops on lap 42 and it was McLaughlin who managed to increase his lead to eight seconds over Whincup.

The six time champion’s stop was lengthened by changes being made to his car.

The strategy was replicated by Prodrive as Winterbottom and Mostert pitted a lap earlier.

Winterbottom rejoined behind Whincup in a net third while Mostert filed in behind van Gisbergen in an effective fifth.

Whincup was able to make small inroads on the gap to McLaughlin but was unable to offer a serious challenge as the race unfolded.

While the podium was set, the battle for fourth produced action as van Gisbergen suffered a broken header on his #97 Commodore.

The Kiwi eventually succumbed to Mostert, who went on to finish fourth.

His slide down the order continued as Waters managed to find away by in the closing stages, along with Lowndes and Reynolds.

Reynolds initially made contact while trying to pass van Gisbergen and when he redressed the position Lowndes shot through to sixth.

Van Gisbergen managed to nurse his car home in seventh as Tander jumped Reynolds on the final lap for eighth.

The top 10 was completed by Reynolds and Garry Rogers Motorsport’s James Moffat.

Coulthard was able to recover to 11th in front of Lee Holdsworth, who also had to battle back after being shown a mechanical black flag early in the race.

Scott Pye was the top Mobil 1 HSV Racing entry in 13th with Michael Caruso the best Nissan in 14th spot.

Aaren Russell finished 22nd on his return to Supercars with Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport.

Todd Kelly was the only retirement as his repaired Nissan suffered a failure on the front right.

Courtney finished in 25th after his opening lap drama.

Nick Percat was a position ahead after incurring damage to the front left of his car after hitting the wall at Turn 12.

The championship returns for another 200km race on Sunday.

Results: Virgin Australia Supercars Championship: Watpac Townsville 400: Race 13

Championship Standings