Hi to all you Supercars Fans around the world!
On the weekend of the 15th and 16th of August 2020 was the Beteasy Darwin Triple Crown.
In Race 13 Scott McLaughlin started on pole position. Alongside him was Jamie Whincup.
Jamie Whincup led into turn 1. While the cars behind were setting their race pace.
Jamie Whincup kept the lead for the first few laps. An error saw him run wide at turn 5 and Mark Winterbottom stole the lead.
Later Rick Kelly made contact with Jack Le Brocq and both left the track. When Rick Kelly rejoined he made contact with the Matt Stone Racing car driven by Jake Kostecki. Jake Kostecki ended up bogged in the sand and lost his rear wing requiring the safety car to be deployed. Jake Kostecki was now out of the race having only completed 3 laps. Rick Kelly received a 15 second penalty.
On the restart, Scott McLaughlin tried to pass before the control line. This error earned him a 15 second penalty.
Later Jamie Whincup also earned himself a 15 second time penalty when leaving the pits. Mark Dutton, car controller (& team manager) admitted to making a mistake in terms of letting Jamie Whincup go too early.
These penalties changed the dynamics of the race.
At the end of the race the big surprise was Anton de Pasquale came across the line first and scored his first Supercars win. When the race time penalties were applied, Jamie Whincup was dropped from second place to 17th and Scott McLaughlin dropped to 20th.
Results for Race 13
1st Anton de Pasquale –Erebus Motorsport
2nd James Courtney – Tickford Racing
3rd Scott Pye – Team 18
In race 14 Scott McLaughlin started on pole position and alongside was Fabian Coulthard.
Fabian Coulthard got the jump on his teammate and led into turn 1. During the opening laps Scott McLaughlin was trying to to pass his teammate but he just couldn’t get it done.
Meanwhile, the drivers back in the pack were trying to keep out of trouble.
After Shane Van Gisbergen completed his stop he re joined in front Anton de Pasquale.
Chaz mostert was trying to pass Anton de Pasquale but things were too tight..
Scott McLaughlin became the effective race leader with cars still to pit.
In the middle of the race Scott McLaughlin had maintained his race lead and was being followed closely by Jamie Whincup .
Unlike the previous race, there were no 15 second time penalties issued.
The leaders were spread apart but they held strong to their position to the end of the race. Scott McLaughlin was over one second ahead of Jamie Whincup who was trailed by Fabian Couthard nearly five seconds later. Shane Van Gisbergen was more than five seconds behind that.
Result for Race 14
1st Scott McLaughlin – Shell V Power Racing Team
2nd Jamie Whincup – Red Bull Holden Racing Team
3rd Fabian Coulthard – Shell V Power Racing Team
In Race 15 Scott McLaughlin started on pole position and alongside him was Jamie Whincup.
At the start of race 15 Scott McLaughlin got the jump and led into turn 1 while every body else was setting their race pace.
While the race leaders stayed longer, the cars further back came in to get out of the traffic.
Jamie Whincup was the effective race leader because their was still cars to stop.
After Scott McLaughlin had a tyre change the cold tyres gave Jamie Whincup the advantage and the lead.
Todd Hazelwood was trying not to get a badly damaged car because in race 13 Brad Jones Racing received some heavy duty damage.
Their was contact between Jack Smith and Jake Kostecki.
Fabian Coulthard had to avid making the same mistake backed off to not hit Jamie Whincup as he tried to take the lead.
In the middle of the race no one else could catch the three leading drivers; Jamie Whincup, Scott McLaughlin and Shane Van Gisbergen.
Where the previous race had a podium finish with Shell V Power Racing in 1st and 3rd position with Redbull Holden in the middle, this race Red Bull Holden Racing got their own back and held the 1st and 3rd positions with Scott McLaughlin in between.
With this win for Jamie Whincup he has now rounded off his career wins to 120. What a great achievment.
Results for Race 15
1st Jamie Whincup – Red Bull Holden Racing Team
2nd Scott McLaughlin – Shell V Power Racing Team
3rd Shane Van Gisbergen – Red Bull Holden Racing Team
The next race will be in just one week on August 22 and 23, the Corestaff Darwin Supersprint. Just can’t wait!