Supercars: Untouchable Shane van Gisbergen records Holden's first 2019 win in Tasmania

Contributor
James Pavey
Supercars: Untouchable Shane van Gisbergen records Holden's first 2019 win in Tasmania image

It took eight races, but Holden finally broke its winless drought in 2019 following Shane van Gisbergen's masterclass in Tasmania.

Polesitter van Gisbergen was never headed in the 84-lap affair, which was threatened by passing showers throughout.

Fabian Coulthard sealed his second podium finish of the weekend, some 5.2 seconds behind van Gisbergen at race's end.

Coulthard survived a ding-dong battle with David Reynolds, who marked his first podium finish of the year. 

SUPERCARS:  Everything you need to know about the 2019 Supercars Championship

Saturday winner Scott McLaughlin finished fourth ahead of Jamie Whincup, with Mark Winterbottom backing up his weekend pace with a solid sixth.

Nick Percat, Scott Pye, Lee Holdsworth and Chaz Mostert rounded out the top 10.

It was a largely uneventful race as the field negotiated the changable conditions.

It played into the hands of wet weather maestro van Gisbergen, who was able to work his way into a position of dominance after both pit sequences to open up a margin.

Shane van Gisbergen

The win also vaulted the Kiwi into fourth in the standings after he entered the weekend in 11th following his Albert Park nightmare.

"What an awesome race, Fabian kept getting me out of the pits, and I had a great battle with him and Scotty," van Gisbergen said.

"I took off at the start and he got right back to me and I thought I was in trouble, but he burnt his tyres up.

"Once our tyre life was good I knew I’d be okay and the team did a fantastic job in the pits. We’ve made a huge step forward with our car.

"Thanks to Red Bull Holden Racing Team, it’s been a mega weekend to bounce back from our shocker last time."


McLaughlin now holds a 124-point lead over Shell V-Power Racing teammate Coulthard, with Red Bull rivals Whincup (160 points behind) and van Gisbergen (166) keeping a watching brief.

The championship heads to Phillip Island next weekend for the fourth round of the 2019 season.

SUPERCARS: TASMANIA SUPERSPRINT

RACE 8 RESULTS

Position Driver Car Margin
1stShane van GisbergenHolden 
2ndFabian CoulthardFord+5.188
3rdDavid ReynoldsHolden+6.878
4thScott McLaughlinFord+13.849
5thJamie WhincupHolden+16.839
6thMark WinterbottomHolden+18.143
7thNick PercatHolden+31.506
8thScott PyeHolden+34.967
9thLee HoldsworthFord+36.134
10thChaz MostertFord+41.887
11thCameron WatersFord+44.332
12thTim SladeHolden+44.624
13thJames CourtneyHolden+48.633
14thWill DavisonFord+51.529
15thRick KellyNissan+1 LAP
16thJames GoldingHolden+1 LAP
17thAndre HeimgartnerNissan+1 LAP
18thTodd HazelwoodHolden+1 LAP
19thRichie StanawayHolden+1 LAP
20thMacauley JonesHolden+1 LAP
21stSimona De SilvestroNissan+1 LAP
22ndJack Le BrocqHolden+1 LAP
23rdAnton De PasqualeHolden+2 LAPS
24thJack SmithHolden+3 LAPS
25thGarry JacobsonNissan+22 LAPS

SUPERCARS: CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

AFTER RACE 8

Position Driver Car Points/Margin
1stScott McLaughlinFord770
2ndFabian CoulthardFord-124
3rdJamie WhincupHolden-160
4thShane van GisbergenHolden-166
5thDavid ReynoldsHolden-171