Motorsport: Whincup has pole despite start

Jamie Whincup starts in pole position today. Photo / Getty Images

Despite a horrendous start and feeling like the team's 'B' driver, V8 Supercars leader Jamie Whincup still managed to secure pole position for today's endurance race at Phillip Island.

Whincup will line up in top spot with his TeamVodafone team-mate Steve Owen, who went beyond expectations to win his qualifying race.

They will be alongside the Holden of Rick Kelly and Owen Kelly while the Ford of series leader James Courtney and Warren Luff will start from third for the 500km race.

Another TeamVodafone entry - that of Mark Skaife and Craig Lowndes who are reunited after 10 years - will start from fourth place.

Rick Kelly won the second sprint race yesterday, while Steve Owen won the first. The combined points from the first and second sprint races set the grid for today.

Whincup didn't win and took off like a rookie but he and Owen outpointed their rivals.

"I got the worst start of my life and I was back in the pack but then at the end there it was nuts - there were cars going everywhere," Whincup said.

"I was three-wide going down into Honda [corner] with a couple of - I'll say co-drivers, no disrespect but they're not usuals in the cars - and it was all looking a bit hairy.

"Somehow we managed to clean it all up and ended up with pole position."

Whincup is attempting to defend his title and catch current leader Courtney and said the overall series situation would play on his mind.

"It's certainly a factor, that's what the whole year is all about, trying to generate more points than anyone else," Whincup said.

"We don't really look at it until after these endurance races but if we can stay in front of the Jim Beam [Courtney's] car, very good.

"At the moment we've got a quick car but I think Steve's happier in the car than I am - I feel like I'm the B driver at the moment."

- AAP