Winterbottom snaps winless streak in Race 9

Mark Winterbottom snapped a near eight month victory drought by holding on in another thrilling V8 Supercars finish at Barbagallo.

As expected, the 200km Race 9 proved a battle of tyre strategy on the high degradation Perth layout.

Winterbottom and eventual second place finisher Scott McLaughlin ran two-stop strategies, while the bulk of the field opted for three.

Starting third, Winterbottom had slipped back to sixth off the start before the different strategies began to unfold.

Front-row starter Craig Lowndes eventually emerged as the best of those to run three-stop strategies, but found himself stuck behind McLaughlin who overtook the Caltex Holden as the final stint began.

McLaughlin and Lowndes both had tyres that were seven laps newer than Winterbottom’s for the run to the flag, allowing them to rapidly cut into the Ford driver’s margin.

Winterbottom appeared to be dealt a major blow when he lost time as Aaren Russell unlapped himself with five laps to go, but held on to win by 0.3s regardless.

“I thought we were in trouble before the start with a set of tyres short,” said Winterbottom, having used two sets on Saturday while trying to recover from an early off.

“It’s awesome after yesterday, where I drove horribly. I hope that redeemed it.

“I thought Aaren Russell ruined my race there, it cost two seconds, I thought it was over.

“But by the time they got to me they weren’t on new tyres and Scotty was pretty nice to me as well.”

McLaughlin, Lowndes and eventual fourth place finisher Shane van Gisbergen had arrived onto the back of Winterbottom with two laps remaining but could not find a way by.

Rick Kelly and Chaz Mostert were among the front-runners throughout on their way to fifth and sixth respectively.

Garth Tander, James Courtney, Michael Caruso and Will Davison completed the top 10.

Jamie Whincup came home 11th after pitting early at each of his three stops proved costly.

Although initially vaulting him to the front, the six-time champ subsequently had older tyres than his rivals for much of the race and fell down the order.

Lee Holdsworth, Fabian Coulthard and James Moffat were the only drivers to join Winterbottom and McLaughlin on the two-stop strategy, but all finished down the order.

Lowndes has jumped to the top of the championship standings with a 42 point margin over Whincup.

McLaughlin has dropped to third while Winterbottom, who became the eighth winner from nine races, has moved to fourth.

Result: Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Race 9

Championship Standings