Tander victorious

The Toll Holden Racing Team has bounced back from its disappointing start in the Middle East in fine style with Garth Tander taking out the first race for the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide on Saturday.

Tander started the race from the front row of the grid, disappointed in himself for not winning pole in the Top 10 Shootout, but quickly moved into the lead at the start of the 78 lap race.

While polesitter Jamie Whincup re-took the lead on lap 13, Tander played a waiting game, patiently sitting back for the right opportunity to strike.

Taking on four tyres and fuel on the final pit stop under Safety Car conditions on lap 54, a confident Tander re-took the lead on the restart on lap 58 and never looked back, the #2 Toll Holden Racing Team Commodore crossing the line three seconds ahead of James Courtney, with Lee Holdsworth third.

"You're only as good as your last race and I'd never crossed the line first here in Adelaide so I'll take (today's win)," said Tander after the win.

"The entire Toll Holden Racing Team had massive determination coming back from the Middle East, where we had good car speed but didn't get the results we'd hoped for."