Whincup: It wasn't a pole lap

Defending V8 Supercars Champion Jamie Whincup did not lose ARMOR ALL Pole Position when he was blocked during this morning's Perth 400 qualifying by Dale Wood, although he suspects it cost him a front row starting position.

The Red Bull Racing Australia driver was blocked at the very last corner of his final flying lap by Wood's Advam/GB Gal Holden Commodore VF and had to settle for the sixth fastest time he set earlier in the session.

"If it had been a pole lap it would have been a lot more painful," Whincup told v8supercars.com.au. "I think I was on for P2, which would have been a lot better.

"Dale is pretty new to this, so I am not going to have a crack at the bloke because it is hard work out there, but I am sure he realises he has made a mistake."

Wood made his way to the Red Bull garage straight after the session and apologised for blocking Whincup.

"I didn't see him, I apologised to him and I certainly didn't mean to do it," Wood said.

This morning's incident continues an unlucky run for Whincup who was robbed of a strong qualifying result in New Zealand because a session was red flagged just as he approached the line.

He's also been penalised for a pitlane infringement at Clipsal and lost a potential race win in New Zealand when his power steering failed. Whincup is fifth in the Championship, 204 points behind leader Mark Winterbottom.

Whincup's teammate Craig Lowndes, who is second in the Championship 110 points behind Winterbottom, qualified on pole with the Ford Performance Racing driver second.

The 200km race begins at 1.50pm WST.