V8 Supercars: Lowndes claims record-breaking win

Craig Lowndes. Photo / Edge Photographics

Craig Lowndes has claimed a record-breaking 91st career win in the opening race of the V8 Supercars round in Perth.

The 38-year-old Holden driver overtook his Red Bull Racing teammate Jamie Whincup on the 28th lap of the 50-lap race at Barbagallo Raceway and held on for an emotional victory.

Lowndes surpassed the all-time V8 Supercars winning record 90 victories set by fellow Australian Mark Skaife, who immediately came down from his TV commentary position to congratulate the three-time series champion and five-time Bathurst winner.

Ford's Mark Winterbottom was third, followed by Jason Bright, Alex Davison and Frenchman Alex Premat.

Whincup, who started on pole, jumped to the top of the championship standings ahead of Ford's Will Davison, who finished 14th after enduring tyre troubles in the first half.

The race was run to the 60/60 Super Sprint format, which included a 15-minute "halftime break" and a rolling double-file start for the second part.

The last lap before the interval was a heart-stopper for South Australian Scott Pye.

Heading over the hill towards the final turn, Pye's Holden Commodore VF was nudged by Rick Kelly's Nissan Altima.

Pye got sideways at 260km/h and was airborne for about 20 metres before luckily not flipping but skidding across the grass.

-AAP