21 Aug 2011

Lowndes does the double in Queensland

5:29 am on 21 August 2011

Nine months after last tasting victory, Australian V8 Supercars veteran Craig Lowndes toasted success at the Ipswich 300 yesterday - twice.

Lowndes broke his 2011 drought in emphatic fashion by taking out both 22-lap sprint races after leading each from pole on a frenetic day of racing.

The wins helped Holden secure the 2011 manufacturer's championship with their 15th win in 17 races to date - and with six rounds still left.

Lowndes moves to 79 career race wins - 10 behind all-time leader Mark Skaife.

But Lowndes was more concerned with reeling in teammate Jamie Whincup's series lead.

Despite yesterday's dominance, second-placed Lowndes only cut the deficit by 16 points - ensuring Whincup still led by 170 ahead of today's 65-lap finale.