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He’s been V8 Supercars’ dominant driver for the best part of a decade.
Now Jamie Whincup is poised to move into a realm no man has reached.
The Holden ace can wrap up an unprecedented sixth V8s crown at next month’s Phillip Island 400 after opening up a 402-point lead with victory in Sunday’s 300km race on the Gold Coast.
If he can come out of the penultimate round of the campaign with a lead of more than 300 points, Whincup will win the title before the season-ending Sydney 500 in December – a feat he’s never managed in his past five championship successes.
The title will also lift him above greats Ian Geoghegan, Dick Johnson and Mark Skaife as the only man to win six championships.
Whincup admits he’s feeling comfortable going into the Phillip Island event.
“We’re going to have to choke pretty heavily from here,” he said.
“That’s the reality, but it’s still not all over.
“There’s still 600 points up for grabs, we won’t be celebrating until it’s mathematically out of the question.”
Whincup started Sunday being pipped for pole position by young Kiwi driver Scott McLaughlin but was given a car at the front of the pack following co-driver Paul Dumbrell’s stint at the start of the race.
From there he stayed clear of drama happening behind him to coast to the win, with McLaughlin and Nissan’s Michael Caruso rounding out the top three.
Ford star Mark Winterbottom, Whincup’s nearest title rival, limped home in 14th after appearing to run out of fuel on the final lap.
Saturday’s race winner, Shane Van Gisbergen, pulled out the drive of the day.
The New Zealander was livid after being given a drive-through penalty mid-race for a restart infringement when he was challenging for second place.
But the Holden star tore through the field from 19th to finish fifth and move above veteran Craig Lowndes into third on the championship standings.
The Phillip Island 400 will be held from November 14 to 16.
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