Kiwi on the front row

He was successful here last year – but can Scott McLaughlin win his first Championship race in his Volvo S60 in front of a home crowd?

An interesting qualifying saw McLaughlin investigated for two incidents and penalised two grid positions for the first race. But he’s held on to his ARMOR ALL Pole Position and is literally in the box seat to take the home win, add to the year’s winners list and get one back for the Kiwis. 

“Jason Bright won yesterday and it was good because of the Jason Richards Trophy, but for a Kiwi to win this weekend with the crowds cheering it will be awesome!” The 20-year old told v8supercars.com.au.

“The boys said when I went fastest the crowds went crazy so hopefully we can go out there and do it for them.”

After the penalty McLaughlin was reduced to fifth in the first qualifying run, but managed to find more for the second run.

A late red flag triggered by teammate Robert Dahlgren could have spoiled it for the young gun. Not many competitors had enough time for a final dash, but Holden Racing Team’s Garth Tander, at the front of the queue leaving pit lane had a good go recording quickest times in the first two sectors.

But Tander – who had an intense but clean battle with McLaughlin in yesterday’s race – could only manage fifth.

“We were pretty lucky there with the red flag, but I gave it my all,” McLaughlin said.

“The car’s been very good and this is my second pole. I never thought I’d ever get one, it’s awesome!”

He is a fan of the back-to-back 10-minute sessions.

“It’s so full on. You only get one lap to get your time and you don’t have that many sets of tyres either so you want to make the most of it,” he said. 

“I actually prefer it [two back to back qualifying sessions] obviously your adrenalin is pumping. I don’t usually get out of the car so I sit and chill in there and don’t really do much – I enjoy it, it’s good fun.

McLaughlin finished the day’s earlier race in sixth, after battling with Jamie Whincup and Shane van Gisbergen during the 35-lap dash.

Click here for qualifying results for Race 12.