A massive Saturday at the track for the Red Bull Racing Australia team, with us grabbing the bull by the horns and giving it all we had!
A quick practice session in the morning served as a great warm up ahead of the days races.
Both drivers qualified well, with Jamie Whincup claiming pole position for the first race.
The good times just kept rolling for JDub, who took out first in race one, getting his paws on his first trophy since August.
With the sweet taste of success in his mouth, JDub then took out second in race two.
“Great day, I am not used to this whole podium presentation stuff! The car was good! In the Enduro’s we had a quick car but we couldn’t get a result, so it’s nice to finally get some.” said Whincup.
All looked promising for Craig Lowndes, qualifying second for race two. Once the green flag drop he gained an early lead in the final race of the day, however an unexpected tyre blow out sent him straight into the wall, leaving him no choice but to forfeit the rest of race.
Most importantly, he left without a scratch and those famous pearly whites are still intact!
“We had the tyre explode and I was trying my best to keep it off the wall. Unfortunately the concrete walls around here catch you, and it caught me. It’s disappointing, but let’s hope we can get the car out and ready for tomorrow.” said Lowndesy.
You can catch more of the Auckland 500 tomorrow, check out the TV guide times here.
THE NUMBERS:
JAMIE WHINCUP (VF Holden Commodore, Car #1)
Practice Three: 14th (Fastest Lap – 1:03.8533)
Qualifying One: 1st (Fastest Lap – 1:03.3248)
Qualifying Two: 4th (Fastest Lap – 1:02.5910)
Race One: 1st (Fastest Lap – 1:04.3571)
Race Two: 2nd (Fastest Lap –1:03.5514)
CRAIG LOWNDES (VF Holden Commodore, Car #888)
Practice Three: 12th (Fastest Lap – 1:03.8294)
Qualifying One: 6th (Fastest Lap – 1:03.5682)
Qualifying Two: 2nd (Fastest Lap – 1:02.4918)
Race One: 4th (Fastest Lap – 1:04.8959)
Race Two: DNF (Fastest Lap – 1:03.2524)
