McLaughlin says title contention 'a dream come true'

The DJR Team Penske will head into the Newcastle street race 30 points behind six-time series champ Jamie Whincup, making it close to a winner-takes-all showdown.

McLaughlin has actually enjoyed a car speed advantage over Whincup for large parts of the season, winning seven races to Whincup's three, and taking 14 poles to Whincup's two.

But a consistent campaign from the experienced Whincup means its the Red Bull Holden driver that will head to Newcastle with a slim advantage.

Rather than dwelling on needing to come from behind at the final round, McLaughlin reckons it's a dream come true to even be in title contention.

"It’s pretty cool," he said after finishing second in New Zealand yesterday.

"Obviously it’s the first time in my career I’ve been able to have a go at the Supercars championship. It’s a bit of a dream come true, but I need to tick another box and try and win the thing."

McLaughlin also batted away suggestions that Whincup would take more championship-winning experience into the crucial final round.

"He knows what to do, but I’ve been in battles like last year trying to get to third in the championship where I just had to beat one guy and a few other things," he said.

"So I have a bit of an idea of what to do. At the end of the day I’ve just got to beat them. We’ll go there and be the chaser and enjoy it.

"I think it’s tit for tat, and I guess that’s what the championship’s been like the whole year. Everyone’s on their toes. I don’t think either party has got a significant advantage, which is making it even better going into the final rounds."

Newcastle an unknown element 

McLaughlin added that Newcastle being a brand new circuit throws the battle wide open.

"Rolling up to a new circuit, it’s quite cool. It’s just a fresh plate, and whoever does the best job with the setup and the driver that gets the most out of the car at the most important times is going to prevail.

"It’s hard to say if it’s a good thing for me or a good thing for whoever. I guess it brings back the old go karting days where you didn’t have any data and you just tried to learnt the track by yourself.

"I’m excited, it’s going to be a lot of fun. Looking at the layout it’s something that we’ve all never seen before on a street circuit, on the beach.

"You couldn’t ask for a better script for our final race.

Whincup echoed McLaughlin's thoughts that the Newcastle circuit is the great unknown for the two primary title contenders.

"I’m happy that we’ve given ourselves the opportunity," he said.

"It’s going to come down to, in three weeks’ time, who digs deep and does the best job.

"We’ll prepare as well as we can. We’ll go there with all eyes open on a brand new street circuit and hopefully both cars are reliable and quick and we can scrap it out.

"No-one’s got any data or any knowledge from years before, you just go there and work with your team and do the best job you can.

"There’s not much more to add. It’s going to be on, it’s going to be hard work for all involved, but rewarding for the person that gets the ultimate prize."