Macca: Booing good for Supercars
SUPERCARS star Scott McLaughlin says those who claim his Ford Mustang provides an unfair advantage are suffering from tall poppy syndrome.
McLaughlin has been nearly unbeatable this season and leads the drivers’ standings by 319 points ahead of his DJR Team Penske teammate Fabian Coulthard, who is also driving a Mustang.
McLaughlin claimed a fifth straight win to clinch the Darwin Triple Crown on Sunday and has won 12 of 16 races at the halfway point of the season. The Mustang has only been beaten twice this year. The car has been at the centre of a parity controversy after Supercars ruled it unfairly fast earlier this season and ordered Ford to make changes.
Holden was then allowed modifications to increase speed but McLaughlin has continued to blitz the field.
“Whatever you do there is always going to be someone kicking you down, it’s a tall poppy thing,” McLaughlin said.
“There’s a bit on social media, there’s Holden fans, there’s plenty, nothing crazy but the team is copping a fair spray from people thinking we have an unfair advantage.
“But it’s passion and we need it in our sport. J Dub [Jamie Whincup] has had it for 10 or so years and all he’s done is be the best in the business.
“You just have to push on as a team and work hard with what you’ve got, there is always going to be negatives somewhere but that’s what builds the passion in the sport.
“It’s great the Holden fans boo me or our team because that means we’ve got good support for the whole series. Whether you’re getting cheered or booed it’s a good thing because it means the sport is popular.
“I’m just appreciating the environment I’m in. I’m 26 years old and driving a really good car with a great team.
“Dick [Johnson] always said once you get to the top there’s only one way to go so I’ve got to enjoy it.”
Holden veteran Dave Reynolds, runner-up on Sunday, is third in the title race.