Winterbottom 'wounded' after early contact

It was a weekend of "what could have been” for a pacy Mark Winterbottom in Townsville.

Winterbottom raced to 10th in the NTI Townsville 500 finale, having started 19th.

The IRWIN Commodore driver avoided the lap 1 chaos in which Scott Pye was implicated.

Winterbottom carried damage from prior contact and was “wounded” in the first stint.

Quick repairs unlocked pace in the #18 Holden, and strategy propelled Winterbottom forward.

"Our car was quick in qualifying but we still had some issues,” he said.

"I got drilled in the back at Turn 1 after having a really good start and went a bit wounded in that first stint.

“Had a rear guard rubbing on the tyre for 30 laps, then we pitted, put a heap of fuel in and did some cheeky repairs and the car took off.”

A power steering issue relegated Winterbottom to the back on Saturday.

Come Sunday, and he was one of the quickest cars in race trim following repairs, as was Will Davison.

However, a better result was masked due to Winterbottom having to fight through the field.

Regardless, Winterbottom was pleased with his team’s progress, Pye finishing fifth on Saturday.

"Our second and third stints were very quick and I drove back through from about 20th to 10th, passing a heap of cars,” he said.

"It was really a weekend of what could have been, we have a bit of work to regroup and get our bits all sorted and get ready for the next event.

"It’s a good vibe here, I think Team 18 is doing some great things.

“Unfortunately there are some things which didn’t go my way."

Winterbottom and Pye are 13th and 20th heading to Tailem Bend.

The 2022 season will resume at the OTR Bend SuperSprint on July 30-31. Purchase your tickets now.