Chaz Mostert says it is a special feeling to be mathematically in contention but admits his Supercars title shot is unlikely at the Coates Hire Newcastle 500 season finale.
The 2014 Bathurst 1000 winner has downplayed his title hopes after falling 264 points adrift of leader Jamie Whincup with 300 to play for after an eventful ITM Auckland Super Sprint.
Mostert kept his slender title hopes alive after spirited recovery drive after being turned around on the opening lap following a clash with team-mates Mark Winterbottom and Cameron Waters
It saw the Supercheap Auto backed driver recover from the back of the field to seventh, although he is more focused on finishing the year off in style than claiming the championship.
The drive came after a receiving a drive-through penalty for contact with David Reynolds (Erebus Motorsport), which triggered a crash for Fabian Coulthard in Race 23.
“I really want to go to Newcastle and try and win both races,” Mostert told Speedcafe.com.
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“It’d be good to finish the year off with some champagne and some trophies for the boys.”
“The points we’ve scored (at Pukekohe) was just not enough for the championship.
“Theoretically still in the hunt but seriously not in the hunt.
“Saying that, it’s pretty special for me to get to the last round and still theoretically being the points (battle).
“It means I’ve had a pretty consistent year, to be up in the top five which is great.”
Prior to Newcastle, Mostert will complete his second outing with AAI Motorsports, which will see him drive a BMW M6 GT3 at the FIA GT World Cup in Macau.
He expects the untested 2.6km Newcastle track to provide a challenge from November 24-26.
“Looking forward to Newcastle, no one has data, so it’s going to come down to who can adapt the quickest,” he added.
“It’s going to be a bit tricky coming straight from a GT car from Macau back there but there’s no tighter track than Macau, so if anything Newcastle should be a walk in the park.”
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