Townsville: McLaughlin slams ‘desperado’ Dave Reynolds after record run ruined

Scott McLaughlin has slammed ‘desperado’ Dave Reynolds after the Supercars funnyman collided with the championship leader who was gunning for Jamie Whincup’s record of seven straight wins in a fiery race two.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA — JULY 07: (EDITORS NOTE: A polarising filter was used for this image.) Scott McLaughlin drives the #17 Shell V-Power Racing Team Ford Mustang on July 07, 2019 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Crashes, carnage, fire, flames and a record-breaking bid ruined – welcome to the Townsville 400.

On a day of V8 drama that was headlined by a pit-line fire, Shane van Gisbergen survived a 200km crash-fest to put Holden back on top after Scott McLaughlin was taken out in a collision that denied him a place in history.

In a wet-and-wild 200km that literally erupted during the final round of stops when Nick Percat’s Commodore caught fire, van Gisbergen conquered the treacherous conditions after McLaughlin failed to equal Jamie Whincup’s record of seven straight wins.

Refuelling issues at the pit stop the trigger for the frightening fire at BJR.#VASC pic.twitter.com/ohDB5gVMm8

— Supercars (@supercars) July 7, 2019

💪💪💪💪@cameron_waters @TickfordRacing #VASC pic.twitter.com/m0Bloj2lef

— Supercars (@supercars) July 7, 2019

Water's lap hangs in there!

He takes @ARMORALLAusNZ Pole Position for Race 18 🙌#VASC pic.twitter.com/tfXykZOxlA

— Supercars (@supercars) July 7, 2019

“Thanks to everyone for sticking with us,’’ van Gisbergen said.

“It has been a tough, tough year for us this year but we are getting better.’’

Finishing one of the great V8 hot-streaks, McLaughlin’s record-breaking bid was ruined on the very first lap when he collided with Dave Reynolds.

The DJR/Team Penske star slammed Reynolds as a “desperado” in a bitter aftermath to the day that belonged to van Gisbergen and his Red Bull Holden Racing Team.

“Everyone was battling for traction and there was no visibility,’’ McLaughlin said.

Nick Percat climbs out from his car after it caught fire during race 2. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

“It is all about risk management on days like that, especially when you are up the front and in the championship like he (Reynolds) is.

“Dave was just a desperado. He can say whatever he wants. I went down and saw him and he said I turned in but if I turned in it was only by a millimetre. He clipped me up the rear so

whatever.’’

McLaughlin was on-track to equal Whincup with seven straight wins after he landed a front row start for the 200km Townsville finale.

The runaway championship leader landed the second fastest time in the top-ten shootout after Cameron Waters pounced with a 1:12.48 to beat McLaughlin to pole by 0.01 seconds.

RESULTS | @ARMORALLAusNZ Top Ten Shootout

1. Waters
2. McLaughlin
3. Reynolds
4. Hazelwood
5. Coulthard
6. Van Gisbergen
7. De Pasquale
8. Holdsworth
9. Slade
10. Courtney#VASC

— Supercars (@supercars) July 7, 2019

But with light rain falling and the field on slicks for the start, McLaughlin’s hot-streak came to a bitter end when he and Reynolds came together in a lap one battle for second place.

McLaughlin fought his way back to 12th place following a rushed repair.

“It is a blow,’’ McLaughlin said.

“But you can’t win all of them. We had a great car today and we rebounded really well. I am

not really worried because the team got a podium with Fabs (Fabian Coulthard) and we will

move forward.’’

With McLaughlin and Reynolds out of contention following the shocking start, Jamie Whincup, Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison were all taken out after rain began belting down.

Scott McLaughlin was left fuming. Picture: AAP

Van Gisbergen timed his second stop to perfection with the Red Bull racer the first to pit for wets on lap 30.

The Holden hero held on to win under a time certain finish after Percat’s car caught fire following a fuel spill in pit-lane.

“That one wasn’t me,’’ van Gisbergen said.

“It was my team. I was really struggling to keep my head with the grip and they kept me under control and focused until the end.

“That was a real team victory.

“I knew I had the grip but I had to keep it under control and it is good to be back up here again.’’

Coulthard landed his latest podium by claiming second while Waters finished third.

Percat walked away unscathed from the fire with the flames quickly doused by fast thinking crew.

Originally published as Townsville: McLaughlin slams ‘desperado’ Dave Reynolds after record run ruined