Motorsport: Whincup tightens grip on V8 lead

Jamie Whincup. Photo / Supplied

After securing his fifth win in 10 races this year, another V8 Supercar championship is squarely in Jamie Whincup's crosshairs.

The Holden driver won the opening race of the weekend at Winton in north-east Victoria on Saturday, extending his championship lead over Team Vodafone teammate Craig Lowndes.

Whincup started from third on the grid, but drove a steady race and benefitted from a better pit stop than his rivals to go on to take victory.

Holden driver Lee Holdsworth just edged out Ford's Steven Johnson for second place.

Chasing his third championship, Whincup now holds a 220-point lead over Lowndes, with 150 points on offer for a race win.

Lowndes started on pole, but botched the start and finished 11th.

Sitting second once the dust had cleared following Lowndes' early demise, Whincup inherited top spot when leader Johnson was unable to negotiate a quicker pit stop than his rival who pitted a lap earlier.

From then on it was processional, with Whincup lapping consistently to secure the win.

"The guys did an awesome pit stop, and that's what got us out in front," Whincup said.

Whincup has now blown apart what was shaping up an an open championship with three wins in the past four races.

His Winton victory followed dual triumphs in Perth three weeks ago.

Race two of the weekend is scheduled for Sunday, with a qualifying session to determine grid position in the morning.

- AAP