Whincup takes race one
02/19/2010 09:13:45 PM
Reigning V8 Supercar champion Jamie Whincup started his 2010 campaign in fine style with a comprehensive victory in the season opener in Abu Dhabi.
Racing under lights for the first time in V8 history at the Yas Marina circuit, Whincup had little trouble negotiating the track in his Holden after switching from Ford last year.
After jumping pole-sitter Whincup at the start, Ford's Mark Winterbottom was penalised for creeping off the line.
From there it was a race between Whincup and his TeamVodafone team-mate Craig Lowndes.
The two-time defending champion emerged from his second pit stop in the lead and he never looked back to take victory, with Lowndes and Winterbottom filling out the podium.
James Courtney claimed fourth place, while Lee Holdsworth rounded out the top five.
Garth Tander, who was denied starting from second on the grid due to a pit-lane infringement, suffered early damage to his car and could only manage 26th place, while Will Davison and Karl Reindler failed to finish the 43-lap race.