Lowndes takes victory in Phillip Island 360's race two

Craig Lowndes has won the race, now he needs to win the war.

The Red Bull fan favourite finds himself six points behind teammate Jamie Whincup in the battle for the Championship – the margin he was leading by coming into the weekend – after coming home first in Race 33 at the Sargent Security Phillip Island 360.

A slow start from Jason Bright on the front row saw cars spear up the grid, with Jamie Whincup flying through to take the lead.

Whincup gapped the field early but a Pedders STP Safety Car triggered by Michael Caruso’s Nissan Altima parked in the grass, after losing oil pressure. Caruso was out of the car, his head under the bonnet while the field bunched up.

Lowndes got a strong restart and on lap 18 of the 23 lap race, took the lead off his teammate.

He finished one second ahead of Whincup, with Team TEKNO VIP’s Shane van Gisbergen third. Van Gisbergen’s driving had been under fire after yesterday’s race, and he had a huge battle with rookie Chaz Mostert for the majority of the race.

Pole sitter Fabian Coulthard, Alex Davison, Mark Winterbottom, Will Davison, David Reynolds and Garth Tander rounded out the top 10.

Others to note include Scott Pye and Tim Blanchard 11 and 12, Rick Kelly the first Nissan in 13, Lee Holdsworth the first Mercedes-Benz AMG in 17, Scott McLaughlin 19, Jason Bright 23rd after an off-track excursion.

V8 Supercsrs