As he had done in 2008, TeamVodafone’s Jamie Whincup was in sparkling form in the season-opening Clipsal 500, becoming the first man to win the event three times. Debuting the new FG Falcon, Whincup took pole position in the return of the Top 10 Shootout and then drove away to largely dominate the twin 78-lap races. Under the unique rules for 2009, qualifying set the grid for both races, a practice which was quickly changed from the next event onwards. But no one could stop Whincup from charging to two wins, although Will Davison finished on the podium on both days in his debut for Toll Holden Racing Team. Power steering problems plagued both Craig Lowndes and Garth Tander on Saturday, while Valvoline young gun Michael Caruso was lucky to emerge unscathed from a heavy crash involving Greg Murphy.