Jamie Whincup has staked his claim as the greatest V8 Supercars driver in history, claiming a sixth championship on Phillip Island.
The Red Bull ace has an unassailable championship lead with four races to go, passing five-time champs Mark Skaife, Dick Johnson and Ian Geoghegan to stand alone at the pinnacle of the sport.
Beginning the day 402 points ahead of his nearest rival Mark Winterbottom, a race victory and a third place proved enough to secure the crown.
This was a triumph months in the making that unfolded spectacularly on one glorious day.
In race one, he saw title challengers Winterbottom and Shane van Gisbergen finish as the bottom two.
Then in the second race, he stormed to victory from pole to confirm his record-equalling fourth-straight title.
The always business-like Whincup said he wouldn’t be celebrating until the final meet in Sydney next month but couldn’t hide his delight.
“Points wise, it’s all done,” he said.
“I wish I could start the celebrations now.
“A lot of pressure has been on the shoulders so I can just have fun on the next three race days.”
“Holding that trophy above my head at the end of the year is going to be unbelievably sweet.”
Whincup said he thought it would take many years to comprehend becoming a six-time winner.
“No way that’s number’s sunk in yet,” he said.
“I’m sure they’re going to mean a hell of a lot when I hang the helmet up … hopefully that’s not for a long time yet.
“Right now I’m in the heat of the battle, and never loved my motorsport more than I do right now.”
The decisive move came when Winterbottom gave him a golden passing opportunity after just four laps.
Whincup swooped by the Ford ace, with team-mate Craig Lowndes following suit on the next lap.
With superior pace, the Red Bulls ran away with the race, completing the history-making one-two result ahead of Winterbottom.
Whincup’s 2014 title is provisional – there remains the very unlikely possibility of stewards’ punishment or suspension for an unknown reason.
But his 461-point lead is now greater than the maximum points on offer from the four remaining races, and on form, no one could catch him anyway.
The 31-year-old has blitzed the field since ending an 11-race run without a win in Darwin.
Whincup’s incredible streak since his visit to the Northern Territory is nine victories and 13 podiums from 18 races – including lucrative endurance wins at Sandown and Surfers Paradise.
Saturday’s earlier race was claimed by Scott McLaughlin ahead of Lowndes and Whincup.
The Volvo driver held on against the strong race pace shown by the Red Bulls for a third race victory of the season.
Attention will now shift to the battle between McLaughlin and Whincup for the title of best qualifier on tour.
Both have nine poles and a chance to increase that tally in qualifying for Sunday’s 200 kilometre race.
RESULTS: V8 Supercars championship race 33, Phillip Island 1 – Scott McLaughlin (Volvo)
2 – Craig Lowndes (Holden)
3 – Jamie Whincup (Holden)
4 – Garth Tander (Holden)
5 – Michael Caruso (Nissan) RESULTS: V8 Supercars championship race 34, Phillip Island 1 – Jamie Whincup (Holden)
2 – Craig Lowndes (Holden)
3 – Mark Winterbottom (Ford)
4 – Garth Tander (Holden)
5 – Todd Kelly (Nissan)
STANDINGS – V8 Supercars championship 1 – Jamie Whincup (Holden) 2974
2 – Mark Winterbottom (Ford) -461 points behind
3 – Craig Lowndes (Holden) -505
4 – Shane van Gisbergen (Holden) -577
5 – Fabian Coulthard (Holden) -751
6 – Chaz Mostert (Ford) -755
7 – James Courtney (Holden) -775
8 – Scott McLaughlin (Volvo) -829
9 – Garth Tander (Holden) -1048
