The new Supercheap Auto Racing team has rebounded from a difficult qualifying session earlier this afternoon to record strong finishes in today's first race for Round 2 of the 2008 V8 Supercar Championship Series, being held at Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway.

Qualifying 21^st, Russell Ingall moved through the field to finish the 31 lap contest 12^th in the #39 Supercheap Auto Commodore, the Enforcer dropping one spot on the second last lap.

Team-mate Paul Morris made an even bigger improvement, the 'Dirty Dangerous Dude' struggling with the flu and, despite qualifying 24^th, starting from pit lane when a starter solenoid failed, charged through the field to finish a strong 14^th.

Both Ingall and Morris played the waiting game with their compulsory pit stops, staying out in clear air while the majority of their competitors pitted earlier, the colourful SCAR Commodores up to third and fourth respectively at one-third race distance.

While not showing good 'one lap' qualifying pace, the SCAR Commodores had consistent race pace, by the end of the round of compulsory stops Ingall was 17^th with Morris 22^nd.

As the race wore on Morris and Ingall came into their own, the pair maintaining a strong pace and gaining track positions, a number of spinners also handing the two valuable points.

Just a lap before the end, Ingall did lose one spot when he selected a wrong gear with the new sequential gearbox, allowing Paul Dumbrell's Commodore through to 11^th.

The Toll Holden Racing Team's Garth Tander won the race from pole, leading from start to finish, with Ford drivers Will Davison and Jamie Whincup claiming the final two podium positions.

The round concludes with the two final 31 lap heats tomorrow.

Russell Ingall, #39 Supercheap Auto Racing Holden Commodore VE (Qual: 21^st, Race 1: 12^th)

"When you start 21^st you don't do yourself favours, but we moved forward and mixed it up with a few guys - we're making progress. I had a bit of a stuff-up at the end changing gears which cost a spot and that was disappointing. There's still a lot of improvement, but Paul's car looked fast today and if we can get that sort of speed we'll both be hot tomorrow. We should be in the top 10, just how far we'll find out."

Paul Morris, #67 Supercheap Auto Racing Holden Commodore VE (Qual: 24^th, Race 1: 14^th)

"The starter solenoid failed and we had to replace it, so I started from pit lane. The car was good, we ran long and then had good speed so we were able to drive past a few cars. I probably stayed out two laps too long before that. I'm personally feeling ok, while the car's easy to drive so it's not as physically demanding."

V8 Supercar Championship Series, Rd 2 - Eastern Creek (Race 1 Results)

1. Garth Tander, Toll Holden Racing Team Holden Commodore VE

2. Will Davison, Jim Beam Racing Ford Falcon BF

3. Jamie Whincup, Team Vodafone Ford Falcon BF

4. Rick Kelly, HSV Dealer Team Holden Commodore VE

5. James Courtney, Jeld-Wen Motorsport Ford Falcon BF

6. Mark Skaife, Toll Holden Racing Team Holden Commodore VE

7. Craig Lowndes, Team Vodafone Ford Falcon BF

8. Lee Holdsworth, Valvoline Cummins Holden Commodore VE

9. Greg Murphy, Sprint Gas Racing Holden Commodore VE

10. Mark Winterbottom, Orrcon Ford Falcon BF

12. Russell Ingall, Supercheap Auto Racing Holden Commodore VE

14. Paul Morris, Supercheap Auto Racing Holden Commodore VE