McLaughlin takes out 2017 Armor All Pole Award

Scott McLaughlin has taken his 12th pole position of the campaign at the Sydney Super Sprint to secure the Armor All Pole Award for the season with five events remaining.

The DJR Team Penske driver came through a hotly contested qualifying session to take his sixth consecutive pole as he eclipsed Prodrive’s Mark Winterbottom by 0.2s in the dying moments of the session.

McLaughlin’s impressive record breaking 1:28.32s saw him snare the $10,000 prize for the most poles scored in the season, with his tally now unable to be beaten.

The Kiwi is just one behind Jamie Whincup’s most poles scored in a season record.

“I’m almost looking forward to the Christmas party with the boys, it’s going to be awesome,” said McLaughlin.

“Thank you to everyone at Shell V-Power Racing, the car’s fantastic, all our supporters and everyone here at the track has been fantastic.

“To drive a car this good is a testament to my team and I’m a very lucky boy.”

The timing screens lit up in the final minutes with Fabian Coulthard, Shane van Gisbergen and Mark Winterbottom all enjoying brief spells at the top of the times.

Winterbottom looked set to take pole before McLaughlin’s effort demoted him to second in the #5 Ford Falcon.

Red Bull HRT’s Van Gisbergen will head up the second row with Coulthard fourth and Jamie Whincup in fifth.

Brad Jones Racing’s Tim Slade was a tenth back in sixth ahead of Queensland Raceway winner Chaz Mostert (Prodrive) and Erebus Motorsport’s David Reynolds.

Mobil 1 HSV Racing showed signs of improvement as Scott Pye snared ninth while Craig Lowndes rounded out the top 10.

Race 17 is scheduled to start at 1625 local time.

Results: Armor All Qualifying Race 17 , Red Rooster Sydney Super Sprint

VIDEO: McLaughlin’s pole lap