Motorsport: Magic McLaughlin makes it three in a row

Scott McLaughlin during the Winton SuperSprint. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwi Scott McLaughlin has kept his winning run going with a dominant win in Saturday's race at Winton in rural Victoria.

The Shell V-Power Ford driver has now won three straight races to storm into the title contention and is just 10 points behind his teammate - fellow New Zealander Fabian Coulthard - in the championship battle.

Red Bull Holden Racing Team's Jamie Whincup held off Coulthard for second place.

Erebus Racing's David Reynolds finished a credible fourth while Will Davison was fifth.
Championship contender Chaz Mostert was the big loser on the day - the Prodrive Racing Ford driver looked like he was heading to a comfortable second place when his car lost drive altogether and he was forced to retire.

McLaughlin had a trouble-free run after a great start and was able to cruise to victory.

"I have a fantastic car under me that pretty much drives itself," McLaughlin said.

"It is great to have Fabs [Coulthard] on the podium here as well.

"I don't know what happened to Chaz there - it was going to be a good battle - so bad luck to him."

Whincup did well to hold off a charging Coulthard in the final stages. The Red Bull guys aren't as quick as their Ford rivals at the moment so the solid haul of points helps his championship position.

"The car was good. We maximized today like we did in Perth but we are just not quick enough. We just need to find some speed," an honest Whincup said post-race.

"We'll tune her up tomorrow and see how we go.

"There is no secret these guys [Shell V-Power Ford] are extremely quick so you just have to get track position and hold them out but I don't like to race like that. We will definitely try to improve the car to get up there and race hard."

Coulthard was content with his third-place finish despite not being able to find a way past Whincup.

"I tried my best to wear him down but he's pretty pro at what he does," Coulthard said.

"We gave it our best shot.

"I'm rapt for Scotty and one-three for the team - we're getting there.

"I'm pretty happy with the progress."

Reigning series champion Shane van Gisbergen endured a tough day - he qualified third but was jumped by Whincup off the start and fell to sixth on the opening lap. As he fought his way back into contention a botched pit-stop, where a rear tyre took an age to get on the car, undid all the hard work and he finished eighth.

Walkinshaw Racing's James Courtney was left fuming after he was taken out in a clash with Nick Percat on the final lap. A week after the team sacked team principal Adrian Burgess, Courtney looked like he was going to give his team a boost with a top 10 result having been last at the end of the first lap.

A longer race awaits drivers on Sunday.

Championship Standings
Fabian Coulthard
Scott McLaughlin -10
Jamie Whincup -13
Shane van Gisbergen -58
Chaz Mostert -160
Mark Winterbottom -199
Garth Tander -229