Mark Winterbottom won the 200km race at Pukekohe Raceway today to take home the Jason Richards Trophy and secure a 100-point lead in the V8 Supercars championship.
Winterbottom's Ford Performance Car was impressive all weekend and today's win added to the victory and second place he picked up yesterday.
New Zealand's Scott McLaughlin finished second with Chaz Mostert third and Shane van Gisbergen fourth.
There was hope of a home victory for McLaughlin in his Volvo earlier in the day as he grabbed pole in a V8 Supercars race for just the third time in his career.
The 20-year-old managed to do two laps quicker than anyone else, with his Garry Rogers Volvo the most impressive car in qualifying all weekend.
McLaughlin comfortably led into the first corner after fellow front-rower Tim Slade stalled and had to start from the pit lane. Fellow New Zealander, Shane van Gisbergen, followed him in second.
McLaughlin was one of the last drivers to make his first pit stop for fuel, waiting until the 22nd lap, but managed to get out ahead of Mark Winterbottom, while Van Gisbergen was fourth and Fabian Coulthard languished in 15th.
On the 33rd lap David Reynolds got ahead of Van Gisbergen to move up to fourth while Winterbottom gradually closed the gap between himself and McLaughlin and by lap 40 he was right behind him.
Three laps later they both ducked into the pits at the same time and Winterbottom made it out first.
Reynolds fell out of contention when he suffered a flat tyre 25 laps from the finish. The race then settled down for a while with Winterbottom steadily increasing his lead over McLaughlin, proving his race speed.
If McLaughlin was to have any chance at getting back in front he needed the safety car to be brought into play, but that never eventuated and Winterbottom coasted home to take his third victory of the season.
McLaughlin stayed well ahead of Winterbottom's teammate Chaz Mostert to take second place, but two Fords on the podium meant it was a miserable day for Holden fans.
Last year's champion Jamie Whincup finished 10th in his Red Bull Racing Holden, his chances of winning the title for the fourth straight year quickly diminishing.
It was a weekend to forget for Coulthard, who finished ninth after struggling to be competitive in his Lockwood Racing Holden.
Source: Stuff.co.nz
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