DRIVERS TO WATCH AT 2019 SUPERCARS OPENING ROUND – THIS WEEKEND’S ADELAIDE 500
SCOTT MCLAUGHLIN
The Ford gun overcame the heartbreak of being pipped for the 2017 championship by turning the tables on his Holden tormentor Shane van Gisbergen and snatching last year’s championship by just 71 points. McLaughlin must defend his title in a new car with all six Ford teams switching from Falcons to Mustangs this season. No driver has gone back-to-back since 2014.
SHANE VAN GISBERGEN
All eyes will be on the flying Kiwi to see how he responds to last season’s gutwrenching finish. Van Gisbergen can’t rely on the wisdom of former teammate Craig Lowndes who has retired from full-time driving. But the star does know how to win in Adelaide – he is aiming to become the first to claim five straight races on the street circuit.
JAMIE WHINCUP
The seven-time series champion found himself in the unfamiliar role of bridesmaid at Red Bull Racing last year after being overshadowed by Holden teammate van Gisbergen to finish a distant third in the championship. Will be fired up to remind the field of his class after costly mistakes throughout the 2018 series ensured he surrendered an early season championship lead. Adelaide looms as an ideal launch pad. He is the most successful driver at the track with 10 individual race victories.
MARK WINTERBOTTOM
The 2015 series champion will drive a Holden for the first time in his glittering career, ending a long history with Ford that spanned 212 championship rounds. The driver affectionately known as “Frosty” ended his 12-year stint with Tickford Racing after finishing 12th in the 2018 drivers’ standings. The 2013 Bathurst champion will hope to write a new chapter with single car Holden outfit Team 18.
FABIAN COULTHARD
While his DJR Team Penske teammate McLaughlin savoured a maiden championship, Coulthard struggled last year and finished ninth in the standings. The pressure is now on to justify his spot to team boss, US motorsport giant Roger Penske, with speculation already linking Chaz Mostert to Coulthard’s seat in 2020.
DAVID REYNOLDS
Once dismissed as Supercars’ Clown Prince, Holden’s Reynolds is now considered the championship dark horse. Known for popularising the “Shoey”, Reynolds changed perceptions when he won the 2017 Bathurst 1000. Finished with a personal best fifth placing in 2018 standings with three race wins. It was enough for Lowndes to declare Reynolds as his 2019 championship favourite.