TeamVodafone's street race specialist Jamie Whincup has won the first ever V8 Supercar race to be held on the streets of Townsville, taking out today's eleventh race of the 2009 V8 Supercar Championship Series ahead of Will Davison, Garth Tander and his team-mate Craig Lowndes.

The victory was Whincup's seventh of the season and also marks his eighth consecutive street circuit triumph.

Starting from ninth on the grid Whincup moved quickly through the order and was fourth by lap 6.

TeamVodafone's pit crew then executed two clever stops to ensure the series leader rejoined the race at the top of the pit-stop order.

Acknowledging his car was a 'rocket' Whincup said he had good tyre life and was able to lap consistently until the last lap of the race.

“It was an amazing feeling to win the first ever race at Townsville,” Whincup explained. “But today really isn't about any team, driver or car it is about all the organiser, builders, volunteers and people who turned the event into a reality.

“This is a very unique circuit there are a lot of corners that are like no other that we race on. It was a very tough, physically demanding race.

“I can't thank the guys at TeamVodafone enough they gave me a rocketship today. To be honest, the car was driving me and I was able to come through and create a nice comfortable lead.”

Meanwhile team-mate Craig Lowndes finished the race fourth despite a horror qualifying session which saw him miss the top ten shootout and start from 15th on the grid.

The reigning Bathurst champion endured two lengthy pit-stops but miraculously leapt 14 positions at the conclusion of his second spot due to the placement of the safety car.

Lowndes continued to work his way up the order and said he was very happy with P4 considering where he started.

“It was a great day," Lowndes said. "It certainly wasn't a textbook race but I finally got a good start and stayed out of trouble for the beginning of the race which wasn't easy when starting from 15th.

“We lost some positions in the first pit-stop but miraculously gained a heap through our second stop due to the safety car. The car performed well and looked after its tyres even on a full tank.

“With a race under our belt we now know there are some areas where we can improve the car.”