McLaughlin keen to create piece of history at home
AUCKLAND: Scott McLaughlin can add another piece of history to his unstoppable charge to the Supercars championship with a race win in Auckland this weekend.
The Ford star’s double at Tailem Bend in South Australia last month took him level with Craig Lowndes’ 1996 record of 16 race wins in a single season.
A victory in either race this
weekend would make McLaughlin the most successful driver in a single season in
the championship’s history.
Given McLaughlin’s dominance, it seems almost inevitable he will surpass that tally but the New Zealander admits it would be a special thrill to break the record in his homeland.
‘‘There’s plenty more opportunities to do it later in the year but I’d love to, obviously, try and win it at home,’’ the DJR Team Penske driver said.
‘‘Regardless if there was a record on the line or not I’d still be coming in wanting to win here badly.
‘‘It is very exciting for me to potentially be able to add to a record and that’s really cool.’’
Lowndes’ brilliant 1996 campaign led to the first of his three career championships but he expects his record to fall at some point over the weekend at Pukekohe Park.
‘‘Records are there to be
broken. There’s definitely no doubt that Scotty’s having a stellar year and it’s not a matter of if, it’s probably a matter of when,’’ Lowndes said.
‘‘There’s no doubt that he will get there somewhere and probably New Zealand might be a good hunting ground for him.’’
McLaughlin heads across the Tasman holding a mammoth 573point lead in the championship over nearest rival Chaz Mostert.
As well as his shot at history, McLaughlin will be making his 100th Supercars round start at the circuit where he claimed his first race win in 2013.
‘‘It means a lot. It’s a magical place,’’ he said.
‘‘We don’t often get to race in front of our home fans a lot. It’s only once a year.
‘‘A lot of Kiwis still come and visit the Supercar races and stuff but whenever we come here it’s just a different type of support. It’s crazy for all of us Kiwis.’’
The Auckland SuperSprint starts with practice today before a 70lap race tomorrow and Sunday. — AAP