Lowndes on top and on way to record in Tasmania

Craig Lowndes jumped to the top of the times at the end of the day’s third and final practice session.

As expected the Red Bull Racing Australia Holden Commodores have shown pace throughout the first day at the Tasmania Microsoft Office 365.

The session saw Jamie Whincup lead, before rookie Scott McLaughlin shot to the top of the times. McLaughlin held the fastest time until two minutes to go, when Whincup, Fabian Coulthard and finally Lowndes ran down to the wire.

A win for Lowndes at Symmons Plains would not only extend his points lead over rivals but give him the most race wins in the history of the series.

Craig Lowndes, Red Bull Holden

Photo by: Edge Photographics

Earlier, Lowndes admitted he had been thinking about the record since creeping closer last season.

"Even last year when we were two wins away from equalling Mark Skaife's record of 90 wins, it was always in the back of your mind if you have a chance of winning a race," Lowndes said.

"Now we've equalled Mark we've just got to get one more to eclipse him.

"It is a huge milestone, I'd be delighted, I can't wait to win another race to be able to set new records."

While the Car of the Future rules meant all teams had to work with new regulations and unknowns, Red Bull Racing has made the most of understanding the changes.

"I think that we've been able to extract the best of what we've got at the moment," Lowndes said.

"All teams are far from unlocking the car completely and ours has got some great potential still to be had."

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