The Kelly Grove Racing driver, who earlier in the day claimed just the second pole position of his career, overcame a slow start to hold off the pack on a wet day at Tailem Bend to win the 24-lap race.

His first victory comes in Heimgartner's 161st start in the Supercars championship and it's also Ford's first race win since Cameron Water's victory in last September's event at the same circuit.

The 25-year-old also had to ensure he was more than five seconds clear of second-placed Chaz Mostert after picking up a time penalty for an incident with Red Bull Ampol Racing's Jamie Whincup in pit lane.

Heimgartner was penalised for an unsafe release after he made his mandatory pit stop and made contact with Whincup's Holden but it didn't prove costly as he finished almost nine seconds clear of Mostert.

Backing up his victory in the last race at Tasmania's Symmons Plains last month, Mostert came home second to take advantage of a mixed day for Red Bull rivals Whincup and Shane Van Gisbergen.

Seven-time driver's champion Whincup finished sixth with championship leader Van Gisbergen coming home seventh.

Dick Johnson Racing's Anton De Pasquale finished third for his third podium finish of the season.

Holden's Nick Percat produced the drive of the day, the South Australian taking a gamble to start on slick tyres from the back of the field with most starting on wets.

The move paid dividends with Percat eating up the field in the first half of the race and eventually coming home fifth.

The Bend SuperSprint event wraps up on Sunday with two more 24-lap races.

Australian Associated Press