James Courtney took advantage of pole position last Sunday to take his first V8 Supercars race win of the season in the action packed final race of the round at Winton. The Holden driver ended a victory drought dating back to 2011 as he became the 12th different winner for 2013, and very timely with the big enduro events at Sandown and Bathurst in the next two rounds.
Courtney led after each of the 34 laps in a race interrupted by three safety cars and the retirement of four drivers.The 33-year-old led home the Holden of Fabian Coulthard, who finished 2.95 seconds behind in second. Young gun Chaz Mostert secured his second podium finish of the weekend after a last-minute battle for third with Garth Tander. Championship leader Jamie Whincup managed to complete his first race of the round, salvaging some much-needed points with a 13th placing.
Earlier in the day, Ford driver Mark ‘Frosty’ Winterbottom has scored a handy V8 Supercars win, claiming victory for the first of Sunday’s two races at the rural Victorian three kilometre Winton circuit, ahead of second-placed Jason Bright and Courtney in third.