V8 Supercar champion Jamie Whincup created his own piece of history when he won the opening race at the inaugural Dunlop Townsville 400 in North Queensland.
The Team Vodafone driver claimed his seventh race win from 11 starts this season to extend his lead in the Championship from the Toll Holden Racing Team's Will Davison who grabbed second place ahead of his teammate Garth
Tander.
It proved a difficult day for New Zealand drivers with a first lap incident forcing Greg Murphy to the pits with smoke filling his car, Jason Richards had a power steering problem while Shane van Gisbergen also had mechanical problems.
The Stone Brothers Racing driver was the best of the kiwis in 12th place ahead of Fabian Coulthard 15th, Murphy 19th, Steven Richards 21st and Jason Richards 23rd.
