Supercars: Scott McLaughlin leads Shell V-Power Racing 1-2 at Phillip Island, Andre Heimgartner third

Scott McLaughlin's stranglehold on the 2019 season has continued, with the reigning champion winning race 9 of the season at Phillip Island.

McLaughlin led home a Shell V-Power Racing 1-2 with teammate Fabian Coulthard 1.2 seconds behind at the flag.

Nissan finally smiled as Andre Heimgartner finished third, marking his first podium in his solo Supercars career.

It was a race of attrition - despite being just 120km - as wheels and tyres predictably ended up as the talking points.

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

Notably, pitlane disaster spelled the end of Jamie Whincup's rough Saturday as he was forced to retire.

After qualifying a lowly 17th, Whincup's front right wheel hadn't been fastened when he departed the lane, and it detached as he entered the second half of his out lap.

Bad to worse for Whincup.

He’s parked up after the front right wheel parts company with his Commodore.#VASC pic.twitter.com/1YBVnja6Ez

— Supercars (@supercars) April 13, 2019

He eventually pulled over and the safety car was called on the 14th lap.

Earlier, James Courtney and Tim Slade likely proved they had seen the same black cat when they suffered tyre blowouts within metres of each other.

Mark Winterbottom's Tasmania dreams became a Phillip Island nightmare when his right rear wheel also parted company late in the race.

👋

Wheel parts way at high speed for Winterbottom.#VASC pic.twitter.com/vM3H2EHrvZ

— Supercars (@supercars) April 13, 2019

However, by day's end, it was all about McLaughlin as he sealed his seventh race win of 2019, and 32nd of his career.

Coulthard gave him a fright off the line, but as McLaughlin settled in the lead, the result became a forgone conclusion.

However, both Shell V-Power Racing pitstops are under investigation for a rule breach, the team having failed to have their line-lockers engaged during their pitstops.

The result won't be affected, but in following precedent, the team can expect teams' championship points and a fine.

Highlights: Race 9

It was an anything but ordinary race around the Phillip Island Circuit. #VASC

🎥 https://t.co/LjzCbP911P pic.twitter.com/2RH47qZQ6d

— Supercars (@supercars) April 13, 2019

McLaughlin has now extended his points lead over Coulthard to 136.

"Unreal. It’s great for the team, one-two," said McLaughlin.

"We just sort of controlled the race from the start. It’s awesome to get a win here again, I love this place.

"[The start] was awesome, we were so equal… they were exactly the same.

"Into turn 1 he didn’t want to back out and I didn’t want to back out either, but the aim of the game is not to make contact and we didn’t."

SUPERCARS: PHILLIP ISLAND  SUPERSPRINT

RACE 9 RESULTS

SUPERCARS: CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

AFTER RACE 9