The battle for the Supercars Championship remains wide open as the season reaches its halfway point at the Castrol Edge Townsville 400 this weekend.
Already the 2016 campaign will go on record as one of the most unpredictable in history with 10 different winners from 13 races in a hotly contested title race.
With no driver taking up the cudgels to dominate, the standings have become incredibly tight with just 71 points covering the top five.
Highlighting the fluctuating fortunes, the lead has changed hands after each of the six points paying events this season.
The six-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup managed to poke his nose in front following the previous round at Darwin.
He has taken a slender 30 point lead over Craig Lowndes while Volvo’s Scott Mclaughlin is only 15 points further back.
To put things in perspective 30 points is the difference between winning one of the Townsville heats compared to finishing fourth.
In previous seasons this stage of the championship has tended to define who the challengers will be however this year the list has swollen.
A total of 252 points covers the top eight in the standings with many more remaining well in the hunt given the ebb and flow of the results.
Who do you think is the favourite to take out the 2016 Virgin Australian Supercars Championship?
Cast your vote on this week’s Pirtek Poll.