Shane van Gisbergen has won pole position for Sunday’s Supercars race at Symmons Plains as teammate Jamie Whincup’s weekend of woe worsened.
After setting a practice lap record on Friday, Whincup finished last in Saturday’s race and will start 13th on Sunday.
While it was braking issues that cost the Red Bull HRT driver on Saturday, the 12-time race winner in Tasmania couldn’t explain his lack of Sunday speed.
“We’re just slow down the straight. I’m not really sure why,” Whincup said.
“You only need to be out a little bit and you lose a lot round here.
“The car feels alright around the corners … it’s disappointing not to make the 10.”
His Red Bull HRT teammate van Gisbergen had no such issues, though a run down the back straight that forced Chaz Mostert into evasive action will be looked at.
Mostert had to put his Mustang into the gravel trap to avoid the Commodore and required a tow home.
After winning his first pole of the season, Van Gisbergen dismissed the incident, saying: “That’ll be fine”.
“Awesome session. It’s really close here as it always is,” he said.
“The car has been great all weekend. Hopefully we can get a better start today and be up there.”
Fabian Coulthard, who finished second to Scott McLaughlin, will join van Gisbergen on the front row of the grid.
Saturday pole sitter Winterbottom had another good day and will start on the second row of the grid alongside David Reynolds.
McLaughlin fell short of his usual high qualifying standard and will start fifth.
Amid swirling wind and intermittent rain, six cars were involved in a low-speed bungle around the hairpin in the first session of qualifying.
Macauley Jones will start from the back of the grid after spinning out, causing a concertina with Andre Heimgartner and Garry Jacobsen.
Each car suffered superficial damage and will line up in the 2.05pm AEST race.