Sunday's victory was won with a brilliant pit strategy after Whincup was only fourth fastest in the added 20-minute qualifying session, having been pipped for potential pole when the session was red-flagged within sight of a super-quick lap.
In the race, TeamVodafone chose to Whincup him in after only 20 of the 59 laps, and his superior speed once he got clear air saw him nearly seven seconds in front once previous leaders Courtney, Johnson, Holdsworth and Steven Richards pitted between laps 25 and 31.
Behind the Jim Beam pair, Holdsworth and Wilson Security's Fabian Coulthard rounded out the top five, while Michael Caruso gave Garry Rogers Motorsport two cars in the top six. Will Davison finished seventh for Toll HRT, cementing third in the overall standings as a result, while Greg Murphy, Garth Tander and Alex Davison rounded out the top ten.
Earlier a thrilling Sunday Armor All qualifying was intense. The 20-minute session provided plenty of action - as well as Johnson's second career pole as he headed an all-Jim Beam Racing front row.
The theatre of the session climaxed when, with just over two minutes left, Supercheap Auto's Tim Slade crashed, leaving the teams yet to post a fast lap waiting for the session to recommence. It didn't happen and set up an even better final race of the weekend.
Whincup was about to set an time, but the red flag came out moments before he crossed the line on his flying lap, leaving him to rely on an earlier lap that placed him fourth on the grid.
