Supercars: Jamie Whincup aiming for 11th win in Townsville
Jamie Whincup has a wonderful record in Townsville which he is planning to protect against runaway Supercars leader Scott McLaughlin.
Jamie Whincup will be going all out to keep his North Queensland crown as Scott McLaughlin threatens to dethrone the king of Townsville.
Called the “king of the North’’ after storming to his 10th win in Townsville last year, the Red Bull Holden Racing Team driver admitted he will face his biggest test in the tropics this year with McLaughlin on a record challenging run.
The DJR/Team Penske star will be looking to make it six wins in a row when he straps down for the Townsville 400, beginning Friday.
Whincup is determined to stop McLaughlin’s charge on the track he has made his own.
“I like Townsville,’’ Whincup said. “I like the place and I like the people. There is also a fantastic racetrack there. Although we have had some great results in the past it does not guarantee anything this weekend.
“We are still going to push hard and grind it out and with the competition as it is at the moment it is going to be a challenge but one we are looking forward to.’’
Siting 5th in the championship, Whincup will be out to save his fast-fading title bid on a track
where he has had more success than anyone.
Whincup has won 10 of the 21 races at Reid Park to become the undisputed champion of the 2.85km street track.
“We will definitely take some confidence going in knowing we can do the job if we bring our
a-game,’’ Whincup said.
“I have confidence that the cars are going to be quick and we will make the most out of Friday to make both cars fast and get them somewhere up the pointy end.
“I am looking forward to the challenge even though the competition is as strong as it has ever been but I feel confident going into this weekend that we can be as strong as any one.’’
Whincup admits stopping McLaughlin from winning his 15th race of the year will be a challenge.
“I am not going to throw out any big statements and say we are going to win this weekend,’’
Whincup said.
“I am not going to say we are going to have the same results as last year because the game
has changed. But I feel we should be as competitive as anyone because it is a track that
really suits our cars and our style.
“I seem to get the best out of myself there too. It is an environment that seems to suit me.
We will do the best we can and I feel if we take our a-game there we should be as competitive as anyone.’’
Whincup will attempt to double team McLaughlin by partnering up with Shane van
Gisbergen to make it a two-on-one fight.
“We work together,’’ Whincup said. “We don’t try and race each other. We work together to make the cars as quick as they can be. If we are in a scenario where we are battling each other for the win, that would be great, but I have the feeling we will have to try and work together and whoever is quickest on the day gets to race the other guys.’’
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