Whincup holds nerve for victory

Instead he put a hand on the throat of his two title rivals, posting an important confidence-boosting victory in the opening race of Round 11 at the Gold Coast yesterday.

In one of the most exciting races of the season, Whincup held his nerve over a torrid last six laps to hold off Holden's Garth Tander and Ford's Mark Winterbottom and extend his championship lead over them both.

Whincup now holds a 47-point advantage over Winterbottom, with Tander a further 43 points behind.

Just as importantly, the Team Vodafone driver now holds the upper hand going into race two and three today in a round that looks set to have a huge bearing on this season's championship.

Whincup started from pole yesterday and led for virtually the entire 27-lap race.

But he was forced to hang on for dear life late as Tander and Winterbottom filled his mirrors late in the race — the trio snaking through the Surfers Paradise street circuit in a nose-to-tail white-knuckle ride.

Whincup, who led the series last year going into the Indy round before his season came unglued, will now also take an important psychological boost from his win.

With his nerves tested at every turn throughout the final few laps, the 25-year-old didn't miss a beat, especially as Tander — the man who beat him to the title last year — loomed large.

V8 SUPERCARS

(Circuit 4.5km):

Race one (27 laps):

1. Jamie Whincup (Ford)

2. Garth Tander (Holden)

3. Mark Winterbottom (Ford)

4. Todd Kelly (Holden)

5. Russell Ingall (Holden)

Race two (27 laps)

1. Jamie Whincup (Ford)

2. Garth Tander (Holden)

3. Mark Winterbottom (Ford)

4. Lee Holdsworth (Holden)

5. Steven Johnson (Ford)

Race three (27 laps)

1. Jamie Whincup (Ford)

2. Garth Tander (Holden)

3. Mark Winterbottom (Ford)

4. Rick Kelly (Holden)

5. Todd Kelly (Holden)

Round 11 overall

1. Jamie Whincup (Ford) 300 pts

2. Garth Tander (Holden) 276

3. Mark Winterbottom (Ford) 258

4. Todd Kelly (Holden) 218

5. Russell Ingall (Holden) 202

6. Craig Lowndes (Ford) 180

7. Steven Johnson (Ford) 178

8. Will Davison (Ford) 168

9. Lee Holdsworth (Holden) 168

10. Steven Richards (Ford) 154

Championship points (after rd 11):

1. Jamie Whincup (Ford) 2616 pts

2. Garth Tander (Holden) 2541

3. Mark Winterbottom (Ford) 2510

4. Craig Lowndes (Ford) 2103

5. Will Davison (Ford) 2033

6. Steven Richards (Ford) 1988

7. Rick Kelly (Holden) 1940

8. James Courtney (Ford) 1906

9. Russell Ingall (Holden) 1666

10. Steven Johnson (Ford) 1649