NightSprint key to title race

SEVEN rounds may remain in the Supercars season but Shane van Gisbergen fears the next event will be the “wildcard” in the title chase.

Holden star van Gisbergen said the upcoming Sydney NightSprint — which will offer double points in the first Supercars evening race in 21 years — loomed as the most important round outside the three enduros.

The stage is set for an absorbing title race after van Gisbergen hit back to cut Ford star Scott McLaughlin’s series lead to just 131 points with victory in Sunday’s Ipswich SuperSprint final race.

Van Gisbergen believed the stakes would be particularly high at the Sydney NightSprint with 300 points — not the usual 150 — on offer to the winner on August 4.

“It’s probably the most important event of the year, single-driver event,” he said.

“It’s 300km and 300 points. It’s up there to how important the race is — it’s a big wildcard.

“We need to be on it there but I am really looking forward to that.”

Van Gisbergen got away to a blistering start to Sunday’s 200km race at Queensland Raceway, getting the jump on pole-sitter McLaughlin before going on to claim his fourth win of the year.

He finished more than two seconds ahead of McLaughlin who, until then, had looked unstoppable in Ipswich.

The Kiwi star took pole before leading start to finish to claim Ipswich’s opening 120km event on Saturday.

He then earned another pole for Sunday’s 65-lap finale, but van Gisbergen was not to be denied.

McLaughlin said his championship game plan would not change despite fellow Kiwi van Gisbergen breathing down his neck.

But he agreed the Sydney night race could prove crucial to his championship hopes.

“We just have to press on, take it as it comes,” he said of van Gisbergen’s challenge.

“There are a lot more points on offer [this season] but Eastern Creek [Sydney] is very important.

“I am excited about our car pace but it [Sydney] is going to be a wildcard.”

McLaughlin said he did not mind if his championship duel with van Gisbergen was overshadowed by the “Craig Show” for the rest of the season.

Holden great Craig Lowndes is enjoying a Supercars swan song after announcing a fortnight ago he was retiring from full-time racing at season’s end.