Scott McLaughlin’s 48th career victory has catapulted the Ford flyer to fifth on the all-time Supercars race wins list, equal with the legendary Peter Brock.
The Shell V-Power ace dominated the first of two races on Sunday in Darwin, only briefly relinquishing his lead from pole.
A red-hot favourite to win his third straight championship, McLaughlin made up for a disastrous 20th-place finish at the Darwin Triple Crown on Saturday to cross the line ahead of Red Bull Holden rival Jamie Whincup.
Fabian Coulthard finished third at Hidden Valley, but a crucial mistake on the eighth lap cost McLaughlin’s DJR Penske teammate a shot at victory.
Coulthard roared past McLaughlin in a flying start to the race, but the 27-year-old didn’t panic and waited for his fellow New Zealander to slip up.
“I was a bit bummed I didn’t get a chance (at victory on Saturday), but my own mistake,” McLaughlin said.
“Great start with ‘Fabs’ (Coulthard), my best start for a long time, but he absolutely smashed me.
“I saw ‘Fabs’ run wide, so got a bit lucky there, but overall really proud and two Shell V-Power cars on the podium.”
It was his fifth win in 2020 and extends his lead in the championship ahead of Whincup.
McLaughlin will fancy his chances of securing career victory 49 and passing the late Brock when he starts Sunday’s second race from pole.