SVG wins Jason Richards Trophy at Pukekohe

Second place behind Jamie Whincup in the fourth and final race saw Shane van Gisbergen secure the Jason Richards Trophy at Pukekohe.

Whincup did his best to make amends for his error in the afternoon’s earlier race, winning the start and leading every lap to score his second victory of the weekend.

Van Gisbergen again had a difficult start but did enough to hold out Scott McLaughlin through the Turn 2/3 complex to settle into second.

He pressured Whincup early before fading to almost 9s adrift of his team-mate at the chequered flag.

The result ensured Van Gisbergen became the first Kiwi to win the JR Trophy, introduced in 2013 for the highest points scorer at the Pukekohe event.

It also ensures Van Gisbergen will head to next month’s Sydney 500 season finale with a commanding championship 191 point lead over Whincup.

“It’s pretty special to win that trophy, I’m pretty stoked,” said Van Gisbergen.

“Everyone loved JR, he was such an awesome guy and to finally win it as a Kiwi is an awesome feeling.”

McLaughlin was a further 10s behind Van Gisbergen in third, leading home the Prodrive Fords of Chaz Mostert and Mark Winterbottom.

Craig Lowndes and Garth Tander climbed over Fabian Coulthard late to finish sixth and seventh respectively.

The day’s action packed earlier race proved an anomaly as passing moves again proved few and far between among the front-runners.

Hopes for action rested on rain, which despite threatening skies failed to eventuate.

Rick Kelly and David Reynolds finished down the order after both pitting early with damaged tyres, while Andre Heimgartner had an early exit after taking hits front and rear in the opening corners.

Result: Virgin Australia Supercars Championship ITM Auckland Super Sprint Race 27

Championship Standings