SCOTT Pye scored a stunning first career Supercars victory in a dark and wet Race 5 at the Coates Hire Melbourne 400 in front of new boss, F1’s Zak Brown.

The Walkinshaw Andretti United pilot did not pit for wet tyres when rain arrived in the second half of the race and instead maintained his lead to fend off reigning champion Jamie Whincup and secure the win. Brad Jones Racing’s Nick Percat completed an all-Holden podium.

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RESULTS: Click here for full results from Race 5, Albert Park

An emotional Pye held back tears post-race when asked whether the performance was the best drive of his career.

“It has to be, it’s my first win,” he said. “I’m just speechless, (it’s a) really special moment and thanks to all the boys – mega job.

“That was a tough race and to have someone like Jamie behind you, it’s a long way.”

“It means the world, obviously we all have families we all work hard for this and it felt like it’s taken a long time, but my Dad’s up there, he could have helped a bit more with the weather. Obviously I miss him and this is for him today.”

Pye’s success came via a combination of sharp driving and clever strategy from the revitalised Walkinshaw Andretti United team, which adjudged conditions not to be severe enough to warrant a pit stop for tyres in the final six laps.

they instead backed Pye to hold his position at the front of the field as he skated around the Albert Park circuit on slick tyres.

A hairy moment at turn 13 with just over two laps remaining nearly gifted the lead to Whincup, but Pye was able to re-compose himself to hold off Whincup and the fast-finishing Percat.

Holden entrants also filled positions fourth through sixth, with Tim Slade, Pye’s teammate James Courtney and Craig Lowndes also showing good speed in the wet.

Ford drivers Mark Winterbottom, Will Davison and Cameron Waters followed while Chaz Mostert was the first car to cross the line who opted for a late wet tyre pit stop in 10th.

The day didn’t go to plan for star Ford driver Scott McLaughlin, who began the race from pole but made a mistake at turn one on lap two to begin his slide through the field.

He would eventually finish 15th, radio dramas leading to him following teammate Fabian Coulthard into the pits for wets, gifting crucial ground back to the recovering Whincup in their championship battle.

Shane van Gisbergen’s 13th-placed finish was enough to extend his championship lead over McLaughlin to 71 points, with David Reynolds six points further back in third.

After a disastrous Adelaide 500, Whincup has already clawed his way back to seventh in the championship, just 128 points behind teammate Van Gisbergen. He trails Walkinshaw Andretti United pairing James Courtney (fifth) and Pye (sixth), whose form has reflected the team’s resurgence in the early stages of 2018.

Race 6, the final event of the Melbourne 400, takes place on Sunday as a precursor to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

Re-live the action in the blog below.

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