Scott McLaughlin is determined to hold off Craig Lowndes for third in the Supercars Championship and stop Triple Eight scoring an historic one-two-three.
The 23-year-old heads into his final race for Garry Rogers Motorsport with a nine-point advantage over Lowndes in what is proving to be a hotly contested battle for third in the points standings.
McLaughlin moved ahead of Lowndes in the championship after finishing fourth in Saturday’s 74 lap opening heat at the Coates Hire Sydney 500.
The Kiwi, who will join DJR Team Penske next year, is eager to end his tenure at GRM on a high and sees finishing third on the championship as the perfect way to repay the team.
McLaughlin made his first solo Supercars start with the Melbourne-based team at the Sydney 500 in 2012 and has since scored eight race wins.
“It would be massive to finish third and the best thing I’ve done since I’ve been here,” McLaughlin told Speedcafe.com.
“Third in the championship is a big deal. For me it would be my best championship result yet and I will probably do that anyway because I will finish fourth at least.
“It would be something that is really special for me but we have got to do it first.
“I think what we have to do today is just come out on top of a head-to-head with Craig. Whoever beats each other will come out on top (in the battle for third).
“I’m excited. We have got to try and get it first and I’m trying really hard to finish off the year in good stead.”
McLaughlin admits it will be emotional to farewell the team after today’s race and is just hoping the final run goes without a hitch.
“The emotions will hit the most today,” he added.
“It will be the last day at the team and I hope we can have a good day and go off in style.
“The team that has become more my family in some ways. As much as I’m excited about the future I am pretty sad about leaving here.”
GRM is meanwhile battling it out with the Holden Racing Team for second in the Teams’ Championship, trailing the Walkinshaw-owned squad by 133 points
Qualifying for Race 29 is scheduled for 1100 with the final heat of the season set for 1540 local time.
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