Qualifying Complete at COTA

Grid positions are in for this afternoon's racing as part of the Austin 400 in Texas – and once again Brad Jones Racing and Red Bull Racing Australia are at the top. 

While Fabian Coulthard topped the first session and set a new track record with a 1min32.5934, it was Whincup's recording a 1min32.0311 mid-way through the second session that blew everyone away.

Whincup will start alongside Red Bull Racing teammate Craig Lowndes on the front row for Race 14, the second of the day.

Whincup leads Ford rival Will Davison by 65 points in the Championship going into the weekend's four 100km races – the latter two scheduled for Monday (AEST).

Davison qualified fifth and seventh for the two races.

Nissan driver Rick Kelly posted the manufacturer's best qualifying effort since joining the series this year, qualifying sixth for Race 14. Fellow Nissan driver James Moffat recorded 10th – the first time the manufacturer has appeared twice in the top 10 during Qualifying – and with all four Nissans in the top 16, it is Nissan's most successful Qualifying session to date.

While fellow Brad Jones Racing driver David Wall claimed fourth in the first session, Jason Bright – who sits fourth in the points – managed only 18th and 21st for this afternoon's races.

Race 13 is just three hours away, beginning at 6.15am AEST.