WHINCUP SNARES SEVENTH SUPERCARS TITLE
JAMIE Whincup has admitted his history-making seventh Supercars title could be his last after snatching the championship from Scott McLaughlin in an epic finale in Newcastle.
The Holden superstar pegged back a 78-point deficit in the season’s final race yesterday, overcoming a shattered McLaughlin who was slapped with a decisive third penalty as he crossed the line.
“If I’m realistic this is potentially the last one,” Whincup said. “I’m not getting any younger so I’m treating this one like it’s the last one.”
The 34-year-old’s latest crown adds to his success in 2008 and 2009 and four titles between 2011 and 2014, reaffirming his position as the most successful driver in championship history.
“I hate comparing them but you have to say this one’s the greatest,” Whincup said.
McLaughlin’s 16th start from pole position in 2017 put him in the box seat to seal his maiden title.
And he dug in for the fight, getting off the canvas three times in yesterday’s 250km race.
In one of the sport’s most remarkable climaxes, McLaughlin got into 11th, a title-winning position, as he went past Whincup’s Triple Eight Racing teammate Craig Lowndes.
The move sandwiched Lowndes into the wall before stewards handed the DJR Team Penske ace a 25-second penalty to confirm Whincup’s triumph by 21 points.
A shattered McLaughlin apologised to fans and sponsors.
“I wish I could get it done for them but at least we got the teams’ championship,” he said.
The gains from the New Zealander’s flying start were erased after his first penalty for speeding into the pit lane.
McLaughlin began weaving his way back into a desired position before his Falcon made contact with Simona de Silvestro’s Altima on the 47th lap, drawing a 15-second penalty.
After Taz Douglas ploughed into the wall on the 55th lap, a safety car brought McLaughlin back to the field bumping him up to 16th. As McLaughlin embarked on another charge, Whincup’s teammate Shane van Gisbergen allowed his Commodore to pass and take the lead.
Shortly after, the safety car was on the track again but there was more chaos after the restart.
McLaughlin’s Falcon was damaged after contact from Pye and retiring veteran Jason Bright.
But McLaughlin rose from the ashes again, moving to 11th in the closing stages but what appeared to be the telling pass proved to be the fatal blow.
“I genuinely didn’t mean to push him into the wall,” McLaughlin said.