SVG v Whincup

Shane van Gisbergen and Jamie Whincup will face off on the front row of the grid for this afternoon’s 250km race at the Coates Hire Sydney 500.

The two are separated by 191 points in the championship with 150 up for grabs today and tomorrow at the tricky street track.

Van Gisbergen secured ARMOR ALL Pole Position with a blistering record-breaking lap, though his 1min26.627 lap only topped his teammate by one tenth of the second.

The two drivers on the second row, Scott McLaughlin and Craig Lowndes, are separated by 21 points as they fight over third in the points, and Lowndes looks to lock in a Triple Eight 1-2-3 and McLaughlin battles for his best ever finish in the points while running his last event with Garry Rogers Motorsport.

Van Gisbergen has also edged ahead in the contest for ARMOR ALL Pole Award, which will also be decided over the weekend. 

“That’s what you’ve got to do around here,” Van Gisbergen said.

“The car’s fantastic, both of them. Thanks to team, we’re on the front row, which is awesome. I’m looking forward to this afternoon’s race.

“Thanks to these guys it’s been a great start.”

The session was interrupted by the red flag with 5min10 remaining in the session, after Tim Slade belted a tyre bundle out of place at the first chicane. After finishing second yesterday, the Freightliner Commodore could only manage 17. 

Behind the top four were the two Holden Racing Team cars, with Garth Tander and James Courtney set to fight for pit priority in a strategy-fuelled race on Dunlop soft tyres this afternoon.

David Reynolds and Mark Winterbottom also made the top 10.

Click here for full results.

The race kicks off at 3.45pm local time this afternoon.