McLaughlin fastest in Race 2 qualifying

Scott McLaughlin ended qualifying fastest to book himself a place in the Armor All Top 10 Shootout for Race 2 of the Adelaide 500.

The DJR Team Penske driver made the most of his final flying lap to move to the top of the timesheets, his 1:19.6900s the fastest lap of the weekend so far.

Race 1 winner Shane van Gisbergen was second fastest, just over a tenth off McLaughlin’s pace, with team-mate Jamie Whincup just 0.02s further back.

“We worked very hard overnight for the car, Ludo has tuned it up a beauty so it was a lot better,” said McLaughlin.

“We know we’ve got our work cut out in the shootout – these guys are very good at their shootout laps and we’ll have to give it out all.”

Fabian Coulthard missed the top 10 for the second race in succession, despite setting the pace as the session began.

A succession of quick times moved the goalpost from Coulthard’s 1:21.3861s to a 1:20.0358s courtesy of Michael Caruso.

It was tight at the top however, with six cars covered by less than a tenth of a second before the field bolted on another set of rubber ready for a final flying lap.

With four mintues left in the session, the Red Bull’s of Shane van Gisbergen and Jamie Whincup both sat outside of the top ten.

Van Gisbergen shot to the top of the time sheets, quickly followed by Whincup as the times dipped into the 1:19s bracket.

Mostert set a best middle sector of the session but could only manage third best, and that quickly became fourth when Scott McLaughlin set a 1:19.6900s.

Aborting his final lap, James Courtney ended his session early by pulling into the lane while in 12th, ensuring he’d miss the Top 10 Shootout after struggling with a wheel out of balance.

“We damaged a wheel on Friday when we touched the wall through (Turn) 8, just a little kiss, it buckled the wheel slightly and somehow stayed in circulation,” Courtney explained.

“It was mad vibration, it creates a lot of knock off so then the pedals are really inconsistent.

“The car was really quick in the race yesterday and really consistent so we’ll put that race set-up back in and see how we go this arvo.”

Having qualified inside the Top 10 for Race 1, Will Davison missed out on a repeat Shootout appearance as he qualified 21st, while Coulthard’s hopes were dashed when Andre Heimgartner went seventh fastest as the chequered flag flew.

Running out of sequence, Garth Tander was among the last to post a final flying lap, his 1:19.9113s effort moving the veteran to fourth fastest.

Tim Blanchard returned to the circuit after a long night of repairs from the Brad Jones Racing team, which saw the A and B pillars replaced on the Cooldrive Commodore, though ended the session 26th.

An aggressive lap from Richie Stanaway saw him climb over the back of the kerb at Turn 7 before brushing the wall one corner further around, the Tickford Racing driver managed the 18th best lap in the session.

The top 10 qualifiers now move into the Armor All Top 10 Shootout at 1140 ahead of Race 2, which begins at 1520 local time (1550 AEDT).

Results: Armor All Qualifying for Race 2

Top 10 provisional; Shootout later today