Lowndes flies home in Tasmania

Craig Lowndes was first off the line, and first to cross it on the final lap of the 200km final race at the Tyrepower Tasmania 400.

The Red Bull racer got the jump on his teammate, but with Jamie Whincup diving into the pits on lap one, strategy was in the mix with drivers having to complete two pit stops to take on the necessary fuel over 84 laps.

But despite a number of different choices from other teams, Lowndes could not be stopped at the front, ending the race with a 5.3sec lead.

"Lowndesy had an absolute rocket... he was too quick today," Whincup, who finished second, said getting out of the car.

Lowndes could only compliment his crew.

“It’s a credit to all the guys from Red Bull Racing,” he said. “The car was brilliant.”

The result means Lowndes boasts a 70-point Championship lead over Whincup, who has now jumped Fabian Coulthard in the standings.

It was the battle for the final spot on the podium that heated up in the closing stages, with the contest between James Courtney, Will Davison and Fabian Coulthard intense.

Scott McLaughlin, Shane van Gisbergen, Tim Slade and Mark Winterbottom and David Reynolds completed the top 10.

Others to note include Jason Bright – who won a race here last year – in 17, Michael Caruso the best of the Nissans in 19, and Garth Tander 25 after front-end dramas. 

Click here for full results. Stay tuned for final wrap.