Supercars: Jamie Whincup throws down challenge to Scott McLaughlin
Supercars leader Scott McLaughlin is thinking of racing in the US but legend Jamie Whincup says he has a better idea.
Catch me if you can.
That’s the message from Jamie Whincup to Scott McLaughlin with the V8 GOAT urging the man-of-the-moment to stay in Australia and take aim at his all-time record of seven championship crowns.
With McLaughlin considering leaving Australia to pursue an American racing dream, Whincup urged the DJR/Team Penske pilot to stay in Supercars and join him as a V8 great.
The DJR/Team Penske flyer is on track to make it back-to-back title wins following an all-conquering season start.
“I want to see him stay here,’’ Whincup said.
“I think it would be fantastic to see him stay in Supercars (and come after me). I think he is a massive talent and the sport is better for it.’’
McLaughlin has publicly spoken about his desire to link with DJR/Team Penske co-owner Roger Penske in the US and race either in IndyCar or NASCAR.
Some have predicted that may happen sooner rather than later with McLaughlin winning 14 of 16 races this year to dominate like no driver has done before.
Not even Whincup.
“I have never won that many races to start a season,’’ Whincup said.
“My best is 15 in an entire year. So the performance they have got with both car and driver is more than I have ever had. It is going to take something very out of the ordinary for him not to win (the championship) this year. Actually something completely extraordinary for Car No.17 not to win again.’’
Whincup claimed McLaughlin must stay in the sport should he want to put his name alongside V8 legends like Peter Brock and Dick Johnson.
“When you are young you can have a big crack for two or three years,’’ Whincup said.
“But the challenge is to do it for 10 or 15 years. The best athletes in the world do that. The Michael Phelpses of the world, who can compete at their best a decade after they first won.’’
Following McLaughlin’s double win in Darwin, the Red Bull Holden Racing team star declared that DJR/Team Penske were unbeatable on current form.
“It is the case (that we are racing for third),’’ Whincup said.
“Those guys are at another level and innovating at the moment. They have found another leg.
“(We won’t win) in the short term. Not for the next few months. But I am hoping that we are competitive in the season of endurance and toward the end of the year.
“We are developing the car behind the scenes and we will make them better. But winning sprint races right now isn’t going to happen.
“I have no doubt that we will be able to run them down at some stage but right now they are bringing a better car to the track and it is very difficult to compete.’’
Whincup has not given up on adding to both his race winning and championship records with the V8 immortal confident of hitting back, beginning with Bathurst.
“I would love to be able to win another championship and that is the plan,’’ Whincup said.
“I am not a greedy person and I am grateful for seven, but certainly this year has gotten away from us.
“If we work out 2020 is not unrealistic.’’
The Supercars season resumes in Townsville on July 5.
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