A high-speed slip-up by Craig Lowndes in qualifying for Saturday's 250km V8 Supercar race in Sydney may have handed Jamie Whincup a crucial edge in the championship race.
Needing to overhaul a 188-point deficit to Whincup in the final two races of the weekend, Lowndes spun his Commodore during the shootout for pole position at Sydney's Olympic Park, sending him back to 10th on the starting grid for Saturday's race.
Whincup, who needs 112 points or more to secure the title this weekend, will start from fifth with Ford's Will Davison in pole position.
If Whincup finishes ahead of Lowndes in Saturday's race he will secure the championship.
Davison clocked a one minute, 28.6130 second lap on the 3.4km street circuit to pip Holden's Lee Holdsworth for the top spot.
