Adelaide was an okay event for the reigning team's champion, but they really asserted themselves in Tasmania with a clean sweep of all practice and qualifying sessions, with their two drivers sharing the top spot in all three races.
"My goal was to try to keep my lap times consistent and to work on my qualifying, both of which I think we did, so I couldn't be happier," Lowndes said.
"Jamie and I have both managed to come out of the weekend with straight cars, which is a blessing in disguise for the team with such a short turnaround to Winton when we're based out of Queensland.
"It's a good start to the season but it's a long year ahead and the team on top will be the one that makes the fewest mistakes and makes the best of bad situations."
Winton is a lot earlier on the race calendar this year at round No3 rather than its usual ninth spot. Lowndes and Whincup will be arriving at the gates with a little trepidation knowing that last year was a disaster by anyone's standards. Whincup could manage only one race finish back in 13th in race three while Lowndes had a best finish of 10th.
It was the round, however, that the Nissan pairing of James Moffat and Michael Caruso showed a hint of what the new cars could do in the right circumstances, finishing first and second in race one. Jason Bright will be hoping to emulate his results from last year after a disappointing round at Symmons Plains where he struggled for pace.
Bright had a mediocre round as the team had to rebuild the car after his crash at the Clipsal 500.
His teammate Coulthard is having a much better time of it having collected another bundle of points to remain the leading New Zealand driver. He's got a fast racecar, but qualifying well remains a bit of a mystery.
"The sooner we can unlock the car speed in qualifying the better," Coulthard said. "We learned a few things that could help us for qualifying and we'll knuckle down before Winton next weekend and build on what we've done so far."
Fellow Kiwi Scott McLaughlin continues to impress in the Volvo and proved again he's not one to be intimidated by any of his peers. He took on Lowndes and Whincup in more door-rubbing sessions at race speed over the weekend, showing that all three drivers are at the top of their game.
"It has been a good weekend for us, climbing to seventh in the championship," said McLaughlin. "We had some technical issues [power steering] that we need to continue work on, but the car has been great and the pace is there for the top fight."
The third Kiwi in the pack was there or thereabouts all weekend and is looking to get back on the podium after missing out last weekend, again at Winton.
He's struggled with a bit of pace there before but has proved quick in flashes so far this season.
Points after two rounds
1. Craig Lowndes - 532
2. Jamie Whincup - 462
3. Fabian Coulthard - 447
4. James Courtney - 429
5. Mark Winterbottom - 408
6. Shane van Gisbergen - 389
7. Scott McLaughlin - 334
8. Tim Slade - 308
