It's been a one two finish for the first time in four years for the Holden Racing team, with Garth Tander claiming race two of the Townsville 400, ahead of team mate James Courtney.
GARTH Tander yesterday ended Holden's biggest losing streak.
It was a whopping 637 days and 58 races since Tander and Nick Percat won at Bathurst in 2011, but yesterday the factory-backed Holden team returned to the top of the V8 championship.
Making it a double celebration for Holden in the 200km race at Townsville, Tander's teammate James Courtney stole second place to record the team's first one-two finish since 2009.
It has been a difficult two years for HRT with a clean-out last year finally paying off and giving team boss Steve Hallam his first win since defecting from NASCAR.
"Thanks to all our fans for sticking by us," Tander said.
"I know it has been a long time between wins. This one means a lot to them and it was pretty cool."
Tander and Courtney were too strong yesterday and Shane Van Gisbergen finished more than seven seconds behind in a Holden.
FPR's Mark Winterbottom was the best of the Fords in fourth, failing to capitalise on his pole position.
Garth Tander celebrates after winning race 21 of the Townsville 400, which is round seven of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Reid Park. Picture: Ian Hitchcock
Tander's breakthrough came after a brave stop on lap nine proved a masterstroke.
Half the field switched to the faster soft tyres after nine laps when Lee Holdsworth's Mercedes was left idle on the track following oil pressure problems and the safety car emerged.
"The strategy all along was to pit if there was a safety car early," Tander said. "We would have taken it as early as lap one. We had to put mixed tyres on the car so I had to look after the tyres.
"Once we qualified fourth and were up the front and even when we pitted, I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do.
"When I came out and I was 11th and the first of the soft-tyres guys I knew we would be half a show.
"From then on the car was so good. It was really easy to drive and manage the times. I have never had a car that good on the soft tyre."
Tander said the win was the result of hard work.
Garth Tander in action during race 21 of the Townsville 400, which is round seven of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Reid Park. Picture: Ian Hitchcock
"This was a full team effort," he said. "We have had a lot of podiums and a lot of success but not a win.
"To have a race win and to go one-two is very special. We both have pretty big smiles on our face right now.
"It is pretty sweet and I have been well reminded that 2011 was our last race win. It is good to finally quieten that down for a little while.
"I have been saying for a while that HRT will win races this year and I knew we were half a chance here this weekend."
Van Gisbergen also celebrated his stunning drive from last place to steal a place on the podium.