Ford driver Mark Winterbottom rates this season the most frustrating of his V8 Supercar career.

Languishing ninth in the points standings – almost 300 off pacesetter Jamie Whincup and without a race win in a year – Winterbottom has been cruelled by a series of car failures when in winning positions.

Blown tyres, failed gearboxes, overlong pit stops – the Pepsi Max Crew driver has had the lot this season despite brilliant qualifying and race pace.

“I’m frustrated, no doubt, but I’ve had a lot of races that haven’t been kind to me,” Winterbottom told AAP.

“I feel like I’m driving as good as ever … but I can’t control some of the stuff that’s going on. I genuinely believe I could have had three or four wins this season.

“It has been (my most frustrating season) because I genuinely thought I could have a good crack at the championship.

“It’s a long way to go, but it’s hard to give people a head-start, and that’s why I’m frustrated.

“On car speed, it’s probably the best I’ve been in my V8 career. Results-wise, it isn’t happening for me.”

But there is a clear omen that Winterbottom’s luck could be about to change in the United States.

His 13-week-old son is named Austin – though he admits not after the Texas city where this weekend’s groundbreaking race will be held.

Wife Renee, Austin and older brother Oliver, aged two, have remained in Melbourne while Winterbottom travels.

They have proved the 31-year-old’s coping strategy as he waits for the drought to break, and he remains confident it will eventually fall his way if he keeps driving as well as he has been.

“You’ve got to go in, believe you’ve got car speed and, on your day, you’ll win,” Winterbottom said.

“If you dwell on it, it drives you mad.

“Sunday at Perth (earlier this month), I had a 25-second pitstop which put me from second to 25th.

“The best way to get over it is go home, see the kids and play with them.

“They love you whether you’re first or last.”