Sport

McLaughlin and van Gisbergen finish 1-2 in close battle

19:02 pm on 28 July 2019

Supercars star Scott McLaughlin has atoned for his miss in race one, clinching his 14th win of 2019 in one of the season's closest finishes at the Ipswich SuperSprint.

Championship leader Scott McLaughlin. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

McLaughlin dropped from pole to fourth yesterday but made no mistake from the top of the grid in today's race two and led from start to finish, setting a lap record at Queensland Raceway.

But the Kiwi sensation was made to work for it as Holden star and compatriot Shane van Gisbergen almost pipped him on the final lap.

McLaughlin extended his lead at the top of the drivers' standing ahead of DJR Team Penske teammate Fabian Coulthard, who made a mistake on lap nine and dropped to 18th.

McLaughin has won 14 of 20 races this season as his Ford Mustang continues to dominate the field.

Tickford Racing gun Chaz Mostert rounded out the podium.

McLaughlin has 39 career victories and the 26-year-old moves past Mark Winterbottom to seventh on the overall winners' list.

McLaughlin has Craig Lowndes' single-season wins record (16) in his sights with 11 races remaining in 2019.

Red Bull Holden star Jamie Whincup - who snapped a 24-race win drought on Saturday - was the last driver to win 14 races in a season, in 2014.

- AAP