Expect a third V8 Supercars crown for Jamie Whincup this weekend to kick-off a fresh round of speculation over the 28-year-old’s overseas racing ambitions.
Whincup is in the box seat to claim his third V8 Supercars title in four years, leading TeamVodafone team-mate Craig Lowndes by 158 points heading into the Sydney Telstra 500.
While Whincup’s focus will be solely on wrapping up the title this weekend, look for much of the off-track talk to be centred around Whincup’s future.
The Holden driver has one year remaining on his current deal with TeamVodafone, and has spoken a number of times about his desire to try his had at overseas racing competition.
On the eve of the title decider, former Australian Touring Car Champion John Bowe has offered his advice to Whincup.
“He should have a look in the next 12 months to see what he could do, purely as a challenge,” Bowe told Speedcafe.com of Whincup’s future.
“He should have a look at NASCAR, DTM and possibly the GT World Championship might be something to investigate.
“It would be good for him to challenge himself, even if it was only for a couple of years, do something else and then came back refreshed. I just think that it would be good for him.
“There’s a bigger world out there, and Marcos Ambrose has proven you can do it.
“It’s Jamie’s life and his decision. He hasn’t won this third title yet, but his performance this year are pretty amazing.”
Bowe will be involved in a title decider of his own this weekend. The Tasmanian leads Jim Richards by 50 points in the Touring Car Masters standings, with 180 available in Sydney.
Bowe’s position is strengthened further when the category’s drop-your-worst-round system is taken into account, meaning that top eight finishes in each of the races will be enough for the Ford Mustang driver to take his first TCM crown.
Chevrolet Camaro driver Andrew Meidecke – the only driver other than Bowe to win a round this year – also remains in mathematical contention.
CLICK HERE for an extensive interview with ‘JB’ about his thoughts on the Touring Car Masters, his future as a race car driver and more on Jamie Whincup …
