POLL: Who is Whincup’s biggest title threat?

A string of strong performances have seen Jamie Whincup firmly establish himself as favourite to claim the 2014 V8 Supercars Championship title.

The Red Bull driver has finished inside the top seven for 14 consecutive races heading into the Pirtek Enduro Cup, where he again forms a formidable combination alongside co-driver Paul Dumbrell.

While Whincup is clearly the man to beat, just who his biggest threat will be come the end of the season is rather less clear cut.

Ford Performance Racing’s Mark Winterbottom is 135 points adrift of Whincup in second place having shown the way until last month’s Queensland Raceway event.

The reigning Bathurst winner’s season has been somewhat in free-fall over the last three events, however, with the Ford star struggling to qualify inside the top 10.

Whincup’s Red Bull team-mate and current third placed man Craig Lowndes also remains well in contention for the title heading to Sandown.

The 40-year-old has an endurance record unmatched by his current pears, although will need to produce a particularly special back-half of the season if he is to beat Whincup in the standings for the first time since 2006.

Of the rest, Holden drivers Shane van Gisbergen (Tekno Autosports), Fabian Coulthard (Brad Jones Racing) and James Courtney (Holden Racing Team) fill fourth through sixth in the standings having repeatedly traded places over recent events.

All three have won races during the first phase of the year, with Van Gisbergen’s tally of six – including the non-points paying event at Albert Park – second only to Whincup’s nine victories.

Despite sitting 337 points behind the lead due to a failure to finish last time out in Sydney, the generally upward trajectory of the HRT ensures Courtney still appears a genuine threat for the title.

Of the rest, seventh placed Chaz Mostert has climbed from 20th to seventh in the standings over the last sixth events, but sits more than 500 behind Whincup.

Eighth-placed Scott McLaughlin has had one of the fastest cars all year but four DNFs, including the double failure last time out in Sydney, has curtailed a title tilt.

One-time race winners this season Garth Tander and Jason Bright complete the top 10, but will likely play second fiddle to respective team-mates Courtney and Coulthard as the championship rolls on.

Who do you think is Whincup’s biggest threat for the 2014 title? Vote now on this week’s Pirtek Poll.