IPSWICH - Finally, maligned Ford driver Jamie Whincup had something to smile about after ending a horror month by landing a race one victory - and a major blow on his championship rivals - at the Queensland 300 on Saturday.
Whincup emerged triumphant in an absorbing duel with fellow Ford driver James Courtney while Mark Winterbottom - also from the Blue Oval stable - was third.
It dramatically extended Whincup's championship lead over his nearest rivals, Holden's Will Davison and Garth Tander, who failed to finish the opening 33-lap race.
Whincup and his teammate Craig Lowndes had divided Blue Oval supporters with their recent controversial announcement that they would switch to Ford's sworn enemy next season.
The pair received a barrage of hate mail and Ford didn't help matters by launching a cheeky deal at the Queensland 300 in which fans can receive a $10 hat if they trade in gear from Triple Eight - Lowndes and Whincup's team.
The Ford faithful's mood had not been helped by Holden's Tander and Davison dominating the last round at Sandown.
But even the most miffed Ford supporter must have been tempted to smile after Whincup's gutsy effort.
Apart from holding out a resurgent Courtney, Whincup also had to deal with a shocking amount of oil on the track left behind by his teammate Lowndes, Whincup and Tander.
"That oil was crazy - I almost speared off," Whincup said.
"It's a big win. We have not been strong here in the past but we have turned that around."
It marked the first race win by Whincup at Queensland Raceway - despite it being his team's home track.
The race was over for Lowndes by the second lap due to oil pressure problems.
And in a horror result for HRT, Davison was out by lap 17 and Tander pitted for good by the 21st.
Oil pressure problems all but sabotaged Friday's practice session for Lowndes and Whincup.
"We have had oil pressure problems from the start," Lowndes said.
"I was just getting slower and slower and had to come in.
"I don't know if it was the same problem as Friday but it has proven to be a real thorn in our side."
A 65-lap, 200km race concludes the round on Sunday.
- AAP
Jamie Whincup extended his championship lead after winning race one of the Queensland 300 today. Photo / Getty Images
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