Holden’s Jamie Whincup has topped the timesheets in an action packed Supercars qualifying session at Pukekohe Park on Sunday.
The Red Bull Holden Racing Team star qualified fastest for Sunday’s top 10 shootout for pole position with a 1 min 01.5620 sec fastest lap at the 2.91km circuit in New Zealand.
Whincup pipped Tickford Racing duo Will Davison (1:01.5909) and Chaz Mostert (1:01.6314) as he aims to recover from the disappointment of being stripped of a podium finish in Saturday’s race due to a 15-second time penalty.
Despite clear conditions for the 20-minute session, earlier rain made for damp grass around the track and it nearly caught out championship leader Scott McLaughlin.
The DJR Team Penske star, who is chasing a record 17th win in 2019, slipped onto the grass coming on to the main straight in his flying lap.
His Ford Mustang skidded sideways along the grass edge in front of the grandstand at high speed, taking out a foam advertising sign but avoiding any contact with the concrete barrier before McLaughlin stopped it on the track after passing the line.
“It was more arse than class,” McLaughlin said.
“Lucky absolutely but this category, you’ve got to go hard.”
Despite the mishap, McLaughlin will take part in the shootout for pole after finishing sixth in the qualifying session.
Saturday race winner Shane Van Gisbergen, Ford’s Cameron Waters and McLaughlin’s teammate Fabian Coulthard are also among those in the top 10.
McLaughlin’s Holden rival David Reynolds wasn’t so fortunate when he made a mistake coming in to turn four.
Reynolds was a passenger as his Penrite Racing Commodore slid on to the wet grass before barrelling into a tyre bundle.
Although the 2017 Bathurst champion was unharmed, he will start Sunday’s 200km race from last place after having his fastest lap time wiped for causing a red flag.
“Obviously ran out of luck or talent, I’m not sure,” Reynolds said.
“I just feel terrible for the crew.”
Sunday’s top 10 shootout begins at 1.40pm (1140 AEST) before the 70-lap race to wrap up the Auckland SuperSprint starts at 4.10pm (1410 AEST).
