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Two-time defending series champion Scott McLaughlin has cantered to his 10th Supercars win of the season after a flawless drive at the Townsville SuperSprint.
Ford flyer Scott McLaughlin is back to his best after claiming his 53rd Supercars career victory, dominating from pole in race one at the Townsville SuperSprint.
The Shell V-Power star had little trouble in securing his 10th win of 2020, dominating from start to finish in the 39-lap race at Reid Park on Saturday.
It was McLaughlin's second-straight win after taking out the final race of last weekend's Townsville event, when he stopped Holden rival Jamie Whincup from claiming a round three-peat.
McLaughlin finished more than three seconds ahead of Tickford's Cameron Waters, while Chaz Mostert was the first Holden driver across in the line in third.
"We had a great qualifying car, which we worked on this morning. We didn't touch the race car at all from last week so it bodes well for us," McLaughlin said.
"The thing (Mustang) was a jet. The pit-stops, as usual, amazing, really proud of the guys."
Always competitive in north Queensland, Whincup kept up his championship fight with McLaughlin by placing fourth.
McLaughlin's fellow New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen added another chapter to his horror season with the Holden driver forced to retire.
The Red Bull ace qualified second and seemed perfectly placed for a tilt at a maiden victory in 2020, but his Commodore had major issues and was slapped with a black flag on lap 21.
"The race was going well, and the car felt good. I'm not too sure what our strategy was but unfortunately I didn't get the chance to find out," van Gisbergen said.
"The power steering let go at turn 10 so we were lucky not to end up with a damaged car."
McLaughlin takes a 143-point championship lead over Whincup into Sunday's two 39-lap races.
TOWNSVILLE SUPERSPRINT RACE ONE
1. Scott McLaughlin (Ford)
2. Cameron Waters (Ford)
3. Chaz Mostert (Holden)
4. Jamie Whincup (Holden)
5. Anton de Pasquale (Holden)
SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Scott McLaughlin 1656 pts
2. Jamie Whincup 1513
3. Chaz Mostert 1258
4. Cameron Waters 1249
5. Shane van Gisbergen (Holden) 1157
