Slade snares surprise pole for Race 10

Tim Slade has become the seventh different Armor All Pole Award winner of the V8 Supercars season, coming out on top in Race 10 qualifying at Winton.

The Brad Jones Racing Holden driver delivered on his promising Friday speed in the dying stages of the 15 minute session.

Prodrive’s Mark Winterbottom had appeared set to take pole courtesy of a 1:19.097s lap on his first of two green tyre runs.

Slade, however, jumped from ninth to the top with his second effort, edging out Winterbottom by 0.03s with just seconds left on the clock.

It marks the first pole for Slade since Sydney Olympic Park in 2012 and the first for a Holden driver this season.

“It’s been a long time between drinks,” smiled Slade.

“It’s been a bumpy road at the same time.

“A massive thanks to Brad, Kim and all the boys and girls at BJR.

“They gave me a great car to do the job.”

Winterbottom was left to rue a lack of tyre temperature at the start of his second run, which ultimately saw him fail to improve.

“I just didn’t get the tyre warmed up the way I wanted,” said Winterbottom.

“It’s so critical having the temperatures right into Turn 1.

“When you’re around other cars they determine how fast or slow you can warm the car up.”

Team-mate Cameron Waters will start third despite also failing to improve late.

Scott McLaughlin jumped from seventh to fourth with his last lap to drop in ahead of Rick Kelly, Lee Holdsworth, Will Davison, James Courtney, Jamie Whincup and Chaz Mostert.

Shane van Gisbergen and Craig Lowndes were just 11th and 14th respectively in a difficult session for Triple Eight.

Also down the order were DJR Team Penske pair Fabian Coulthard and Scott Pye, who will start 15th and 17th.

Nick Percat will start from the back of the grid after missing the session while the team replaced the engine in his Lucas Dumbrell Holden.

The former Bathurst winner received a new engine for the weekend, but had been plagued by a misfire throughout the practice sessions.

The 120km Race 10 will take place from 1600 local time.

Result: Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Woodstock Winton Super Sprint Race 10 Qualifying