Scott McLaughlin launches bid for Darwin’s triple crown
Mustang driver Scott McLaughlin has given himself a shot at a unique first with a hot start to his Darwin campaign.
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Scott McLaughlin is in line to become the first ever winner of the Darwin “triple crown” after blasting the field to record his latest Supercars race win on Saturday.
The Ford Mustang driver, who is on the verge of equalling Peter Brock’s qualifying record of 57 wins after storming to his 10th pole of the year, clobbered the V8 field by almost seven seconds to set up his shot at the ‘triple crown’ — winning both races as well as the top 10 shootout.
“It has been an awesome run for the team,’’ McLaughlin said after making it four in a row.
“We just have to keep pushing on.’’
McLaughlin dedicated the win to his engineer Richard Harris – who lost his father overnight.
“I would love to do (win the triple crown) but Richard’s dad passed away early in the morning and this is for him,’’ McLaughlin said.
“He has had to head back to the UK so I am more worried about the welfare of my boys than the triple crown.’’
McLaughlin put himself just one qualifying win away from equalling Peter Brock’s pole position record earlier when he edged out Dave Reynolds to record his latest one lap win.
Also making it 600 pole positions for Penske Racing, McLaughlin clocked a 1.06.01 to land his 56th qualifying win.
“It’s so cool. This is obviously for ‘The Captain’ (team owner Roger Penske) and his team,” McLaughlin said.
“We came on very late, but glad to add a few poles to it.
“To get the Armor All cheque today, our 10th of the year is fantastic.
“Our car is awesome, I stuffed up that last lap, I’m pissed off, but anyway, it’ll be alright.
“I was up a fair way in that first sector and just tried to brake too hard and locked up.”
The Penske pilot will attempt to join Brock in second place on the all-time pole position list.
Jamie Whincup is the all-time qualifying king with a jaw dropping 80 one-lap wins.
After scoring his tenth qualifying win of the year, McLaughlin beat both Reynolds and Will Davison to the first corner to take the lead when the race launched to life.
“We had an awesome run to the first corner,’’ McLaughlin said.
“I think we went in three wide and I figured I was on the inside so I had the safest position.’’
The Kiwi’s charge was momentarily halted on lap three when a safety car was called to rescue a stranded Tim Slade.
McLaughlin won the restart as Davison beat Reynolds to win the battle for second.
McLaughlin was almost four seconds clear of his nearest rival when he took his one and only pit-stop on lap 21.
Chaz Mostert made it a one-two for the Mustang when he fought his way back from fifth to claim second.
“I was quite surprised when I was called in to pit early,’’ Mostert said.
“But it prove to be the right strategy. It was a great result but Scott was still super quick so we have a long way to go to catch him. Overall I just tried to not slide the car and bring it home.
Reynolds held off a fast finishing Cameron Waters to hold onto third and finish the best of the Holdens.
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