MICHAEL Andretti scored his first Supercars victory over Roger Penske on Saturday night when Scott Pye broke through to notch a historic win for the newly-formed Walkinshaw Andretti United.
Vowing to take the battle to his fierce US racing rival in Australia when he announced his Supercars entry, US racing legend Andretti delivered on his promise in just the fifth race of the year in an Albert Park thriller.
Driving for the famous outfit formerly known as the Holden Racing Team, Pye passed Scott Mclaughlin on lap two to set up the win.
Pye, 28, held off Jamie Whincup in an epic wet weather finish to win his first ever Supercars race.
“That is my first win and I am just speechless,’’ Pye said. “It is just a really special moment. Thanks to all the boys. It was a tough race and to have someone like Jamie behind me the whole way, well it was special.
“This means so much to me.’’
An Indy car team owner, Andretti last year announced he would follow Penske — also an Indy car giant — to Australia to race a V8 after forming an alliance with Walkinshaw Racing owner Ryan Walkinshaw and McLaren Executive Director Zac Brown.
Penske become the first American part owner when he linked with Dick Johnson to form DJR Team Penske last year. In Australia with a Formula One team that boasts Fernando Alonso, Brown described Pye’s drive as one of the greatest he has seen.
“What a drive,’’ Brown said.
“I think it is about as good as a drive as I have ever seen. He owned it. It was awesome.’’
Andretti’s triumph came as a double blow for Penske after Whincup beat Scott McLaughlin in the earlier race as the war between the championship heavyweights resumed.
The Red Bull Holden Racing record breaker led from start to finish to score his first win of the season and put his bid to win an unprecedented eighth title back on track.
Whincup mastered a drenched track to beat McLaughlin after the Penske driver landed the first blow in the latest instalment of their fight when he won race one on Friday.
“It was very Melbourne out there today,’’ Whincup said. “Thirty-five degrees yesterday and pissing down rain today. But it was plenty of fun and I am glad to get the win.’’
Whincup admitted he was on a mission to claw his way back to the top of the championship table after he suffered his first DNF since 2013 when he failed to finish the Adelaide 500.
“I need to start pushing back,’’ Whincup said.
The final race of the round starts at 1.45pm today.
