Mark Winterbottom came out on top in a dramatic Race 21 qualifying session that was interrupted by a late red flag stoppage.

The Pepsi Max FPR Falcon driver had sat just 16th when the field filed out of pitlane for the final green tyre runs.

A red flag for a spring on the circuit dropped by the Walkinshaw Holden of Russell Ingall then set up a dramatic final few minutes.

Winterbottom needed just one flying lap however to throw down a time that would not be beaten.

Scott McLaughlin fell just 0.15s short and will start second, while David Reynolds and Garth Tander proved good enough to share the second row.

Craig Lowndes, Alex Davison, Tony D’Alberto and James Courtney filled fifth through eigth, while Will Davison, who had been fastest prior to the red flag, could not improve and was demoted to ninth.

Others in trouble included Jamie Whincup. The Red Bull Holden narrowly missed out on a second flying lap prior to the chequered flag and will start just 15th.

The team is also under investigation for an unsafe pit release following the resumption from the late stoppage.

Saturday stars Jason Bright and Shane van Gisbergen will start just 17th and 21st respectively after difficult sessions. The former had sat 10th prior to the red flag but could not improve thereafter.

The 200km Race 21 will get underway at 1535 local time.

See below for full Race 21 qualifying results