Lowndes equals V8 win record What was supposed to be a new era in V8 Supercars quickly resembled more of the same after Craig Lowndes' record-equalling victory in the season opener in Adelaide on Saturday extended Holden's dominance. Three-time championship winner Lowndes, 38, registered his 90th race win in his glittering 17-year touring car career - equalling Mark Skaife's all-time mark. There was an exciting sense of the unknown when all 28 competitors arrived on the Adelaide grid in brand new vehicles under new Car of the Future specifications, including Nissan and Mercedes for the first time in two decades. But there was a feeling of deja vu when the dust settled on the season opener and a Triple Eight Holden had again emerged triumphant. Relegated to second on the drivers' championship the past two years by Triple Eight teammate - and four-time title winner - Jamie Whincup, Lowndes produced a blistering effort in the 78-lap race on Saturday. Lowndes finished more than 20 seconds - an Adelaide race record - ahead of Ford Performance Racing's Will Davison while his Holden Triple Eight teammate Whincup was third. The opening round concludes with another 250km race on the tough street circuit on Sunday. Triple Eight's Holden team and rival Ford Performance Racing had combined to win all 30 races last season. But they were not expecting to have it all their own way in 2013 after V8 Supercars welcomed back Nissan and Mercedes. However, the rookie teams have plenty of work to do if they are to threaten, based on their underwhelming V8 debut on Saturday. The biggest headache for Lowndes was caused by oil on the tight track. He had some anxious moments on lap 65 when he spun wildly on a turn before recovering to narrowly avoid a concrete barrier. Mercedes' Erebus Motorsport team's much anticipated debut began with a whimper rather than a bang after Maro Engel started the race in pit lane due to throttle problems and limped in at second-last. But Tim Slade (15th) and Lee Holdsworth (17th) provided Mercedes some hope. Mercedes were feeling the heat more ways than one on Saturday - Holdsworth repeatedly asked for his footwear to be replaced due to a scorching hot brake pedal. Nissan spearhead Rick Kelly finished 11th and James Moffatt 14th but teammates Michael Caruso (23rd) and Todd Kelly (DNF) didn't fare as well. Lowndes emerged from an eventful start to notch his first Adelaide race win since 2006. Pole sitter Shane van Gisbergen was swamped at the start and found himself back in ninth on the first lap before bowing out after 62. Second-quickest qualifier - FPR gun Mark Winterbottom - was forced to pit while leading the race on the opening lap due to gearbox problems and failed to finish.