Whincup warms up for Shootout

Six-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup topped Practice 3 at the Clipsal 500 ahead of this afternoon’s Top 10 Shootout.

The Red Bull Holden Racing Team driver set his 1:19.7649s time with five of the 20 minutes remaining after a low-key start to the weekend by his usual standards.

Whincup, who will be the fourth man out in the Shootout after qualifying seventh, led a Red Bull one-two with Shane van Gisbergen 0.1527s adrift in second.

Prodrive snared the next three places with Cameron Waters, Mark Winterbottom and Chaz Mostert setting quick times ahead of their appearances in the Shootout.

James Moffat demonstrated positive signs for Garry Rogers Motorsport in sixth place as the team continues to develop its Holden Commodores.

David Reynolds, Todd Kelly, Scott Pye and Tim Slade rounded out the top 10.

The session ran without incident as some teams chased Shootout speed while others focused on race pace for this afternoon’s 78-lap encounter.

Shell V-Power Racing’s Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard ended up just 11th in 20th after putting their attention into race runs.

“We didn’t do a Top 10 Shootout simulation,” confirmed Coulthard.

“It was about understanding the tyre and what it’s going to do over a run.”

Craig Lowndes was even further back in 22nd but remains optimistic for the race, where he’ll start 13th.

“The car is really good,” he said, having made a mistake on his best lap yesterday that cost him a Shootout berth.

“We learnt a lot again in that session and we’ll make it better for the race.

“We’re making sure it’s a good race car. We’re not worried about a one-lapper.”

CLICK HERE for the full Practice 3 result.