Mostert controls first V8 race

The pole-sitter’s only real challenge came through the first two corners of the race, with team-mate Mark Winterbottom running side-by-side until the exit of Turn 2.

But once in front it was all too easy for Mostert, who cruised to a fourth win of the season ahead of Winterbottom.

“It was nice and tight through [Turn 1],” said Mostert.

“It was good to get a good start and to stay at the front. We’re just consistent at the moment, we need to try and stay there.”

Jamie Whincup was the best of the non-Prodrive cars, shadowing Winterbottom for all 16 laps on his way to third place – his first podium since the Barbagallo Raceway round back at the beginning of May.

“Obviously happy to get my first podium in a long time,” Whincup said.

“I’m happy that we’ve massively improved over the last few months, but there’s still a long way to go.”

As was the case in qualifying, the Top 5 was all about Prodrive and Triple Eight, with David Reynolds and Craig Lowndes finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

A good start was key to Rick Kelly’s race, the Nissan driver slotting into sixth place early and staying there for the whole race.

It wasn’t that easy, though, with Andre Heimgartner glued to the Altima’s bumper for the entirety of the race. The pair even staged a drag race to the chequered flag, Kelly narrowly coming out on top.

Scott McLaughlin, Scott Pye, and Jason Bright were next in line, all running nose-to-tail right behind the Kelly/Heimgartner battle.