New Zealand driver and Supercars championship leader Scott McLaughlin has claimed victory in the first 120km race at Queensland Raceway.
Scott McLaughlin Photo: Photosport
The DJR Team Penske driver, who had earlier secured his 10th pole position of the season, led for most of the 37-lap race to claim his sixth win of the year.
McLaughlin came home ahead of Ford's Chaz Mostert, with fast-finishing defending series champion Shane Van Gisbergen claiming third.
Veteran Craig Lowndes led at the first turn and jumped McLaughlin during the round of compulsory pit stops, but his Holden lacked race pace and the 43-year- old came home fifth.
McLaughlin's main championship rival Jamie Whincup could only limp home in 20th in a disappointing display.
The six-time Supercars champion had earlier been hit with a five-position grid penalty for making illegal contact with James Moffat in pitlane during the afternoon's qualifying session.
McLaughlin goes out to a 111-point lead in the championship ahead of Whincup, with McLaughlin's teammate Fabian Coulthard third, a further 95 points behind.
The Ipswich SuperSprint wraps up on Sunday with a 200km race.
