Craig Lowndes scores seventh Bathurst 1000 win in final fulltime drive

Craig Lowndes.
Craig Lowndes. Photo credit: Getty

Craig Lowndes and Steven Richards have won their second Bathurst 1000 together in five-years, after surving the Mount Panorama drama.

The first 120 laps were dominated by pole-sitter David Reynolds' number nine Holden, co-driven by Luke Youlden. The popular Australian was never lower than third and at one stage, led by more than 10 seconds halfway through the race.

Defending champion Reynolds relinquished his lead, after cramping up in the cockpit. He tried to fight through the pain and managed to hold Lowndes to a three-second lead, but eventually he succumbed, handing the car over to Youlden.

By that point, they were done and dusted.

Three months ago, Lowndes announced that 2018 would be his swansong as a full-time driver in the category and he will celebrate long into the night, as he joins Jim Richards on seven wins at 'The Mountain' - just two behind the legendary Peter Brock.

Lowndes' win was an emotional one, almost topping 2006, when he won the race just a few weeks after the death of mentor Brock.

"It is almost like '06 again," he said. "We have had troubles all weekend with steering and to pull it altogether.

"I didn't have any air or anything in my helmet the last three stints, so I am a little tired, but it is a credit to these guys.

"Richo and I came into this weekend with a lot of confidence after Sandown. We didn't have a lot of speed early in the race, but we were hoping it would develop and the car would come to us, and it did.

"It is a pity for Reynolds and his guys, because they were the benchmark all weekend."

Steven Richards, son of Bathurst legend Jim Richards, won his fifth crown and second with Lowndes, after winning in 2015."

Scott Pye and Warren Luff finished second in their Walkinshaw-Andretti Commodore - a second straight Bathurst podium for the duo - while Scott McLaughlin was the best Kiwi finisher, coming home third with Alex Premat.

That result closed the gap in the Supercars championship standings to just 19 points, with Shane Van Gisbergen finishing fifth, after a stellar drive from teammate Earl Bamber, who propelled the car from 16th to sixth in his final stint.

This was the best overall result for New Zealanders at Bathurst, with Chris Pither's teammate, Garth Tander, finishing sixth.

Andre Heimgartner struggled for pace all day, crossing the line in 15th, with Richie Stanaway well done the field, after engine issues ruined his day halfway through the race.

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