Defending Supercars champion Jamie Whincup has continued his love affair with Townsville, charging to victory in Saturday's race in the north Queensland city.
Jamie Whincup Photo: Photosport
Whincup passed championship leader Scott McLaughlin on the second lap of the 200km race at Reid Park and never looked back on his way to his third race win of the year and first since April.
The Red Bull Holden Racing Team ace has now won 10 of the 20 races that have been held in Townsville.
Teammate Shane Van Gisbergen came home second in a one-two for the Red Bulls with DJR Team Penske's McLaughlin finishing third.
New Zealander McLaughlin had started from pole position but couldn't match the pace of Whincup and Van Gisbergen.
Van Gisbergen, the Ford driver's nearest rival in the championship standings, jumped ahead of McLaughlin at an early pit stop.
Both drivers were thrown a lifeline when a late safety car wiped out a 10.5 second margin that Whincup had opened up but the seven-time drivers' champion pulled away at the restart and won by just over two seconds.
McLaughlin retains the championship lead on 1904 points, 152 ahead of Van Gisbergen on 1752.
The Townsville 400 wraps up on Sunday with another 200km race.
-AAP
