V8 Supercars: Whincup wins after hitting Lowndes

Jamie Whincup capitalized on a controversial move on Triple Eight teammate Craig Lowndes to win the first V8 Supercars race of the weekend at Symmons Plains.

Lowndes led the Triple Eight Race Engineering pair for the first half of the race and was in control before a safety car caused by Rick Kelly's trip into the Turn 6 gravel trap on lap 21.

After the safety car, Whincup set about working on his team-mate, and dived down the inside at Turn 6 on lap 26, hitting Lowndes in the front left door and pushing him onto the gravel.

Holden Racing Team's James Courtney moved up to second following the departure of Lowndes, and came under heavy pressure from Mark Winterbottom, shortly after the safety car.

Some good defensive driving allowed Courtney to consolidate second and Winterbottom had to settle for third as the highest placed Ford.

Series veteran Russell Ingall came home in fourth after taking his best qualifying position in six years in third.

He had a terrible start but recovered after the safety car to lead the late charging Kiwi Scott McLaughlin, who was the highest finishing Volvo in fifth.

Lowndes fought back late on in the race having rejoined 11th after the incident with Whincup, finishing eighth.