Frosty keeps cool despite setback

A good result at Sandown is crucial for Mark Winterbottom’s championship defence and now the #1 racer will need to push through from the back of the grid.

Winterbottom’s co-driver Dean Canto was slapped with a drive-through penalty after an incident with Tony D’Alberto (Scott Pye) and Steven Richards (sharing with other title fighter Craig Lowndes) at turn one on lap one.

While Frosty was surprised with the punishment, he kept his cool watching the 60km race from the garage. He’ll start 24th for the race to determine ARMOR ALL Pole Position while arch-rival Jamie Whincup lines up first after his co-driver Paul Dumbrell’s victory.

“He got a good start – looks like he got hit in the back to be honest,” Winterbottom said on the coverage.

“We should’ve put him up the front [with] clearer traffic – the start he did was pretty good.

“It’s a big day tomorrow, you serve your penalty, get on with it and race again this arvo.”

Canto was spotted on-camera having a laugh with D’Alberto post-race.

However primary driver Scott Pye was unhappy when watching the incident, saying the 'judges did their job today'.

His and D’Alberto’s DJR Team Penske Falcon was fastest in the third practice session yesterday but qualified 12th today. Pye starts this race 19th while Whincup and Chaz Mostert will start from the front row.