YOUTH ON STREETS
McLAUGHLIN’S BID
SCOTT McLaughlin could soon become the youngest Supercars champion in more than a decade but the former Gold Coast student insists the pressure is squarely on Red Bull Holden Racing Team rival Jamie Whincup.
McLaughlin has enjoyed a stellar debut campaign at burgeoning Ford powerhouse DJR Team Penske to be just 30 points behind six-time series winner Whincup.
The pair’s thrilling, seesawing title fight will reach a climax this weekend at the season finale at the brand
new Newcastle street circuit where teams and drivers will be in the dark until practice begins tomorrow.
“It’s the best script Supercars could have asked for,” McLaughlin told the Bulletin
from Newcastle. “Best on ground will get the biscuits.”
At 24 years of age, McLaughlin could in three days’ time become the youngest Supercars champion since Rick Kelly won the category in 2006 as a 23-year-old. Kelly is the only driver in the past two decades to have won a title before turning 25.
Despite being in his first Supercars title fight against a man who has broken record after record, McLaughlin says he can take confidence from previous triumphs.
The New Zealand-born racer emerged from a fourhorse last round title scrap to win the 2012 second-tier Dunlop Series and last year pipped Craig Lowndes for third in overall points.
“It was about 25 points I was behind (Lowndes) heading into the final round so it’s very similar and we ended up toppling him,” said McLaughlin, who attended Saint Stephen’s College.
The No.17 driver has claimed pole position for 14 of 24 races this season but at the penultimate round in Pukekohe it was Whincup who dominated qualifying.
He joined DJRTP this season after four campaigns for Garry Rogers Motorsport and counts himself lucky to already be contending for the sport’s ultimate glory.
“I understood this year was going to be a building year but to be fighting for the championship is an absolute bonus and has definitely exceeded our expectations.”