Jamie Whincup on his dramatic seventh title: ”I didn’t have a clue”

Jamie Whincup won the final Supercars race of the season in Newcastle not knowing that he had claimed his seventh title.

“I’m lost for words. I didn’t have a clue crossing the line, I assumed I came second and the crew goes ‘you’ve got number one’,” said Whincup.

Whincup had a tough first race of the season finale weekend, making contact with Michael Caruso that forced him to pit for repairs, dropping 13 laps behind the leaders to finish 21st.

The Triple Eight Race Engineering driver was 30 points behind McLaughlin for the final race. The Holden driver drove a perfect final race to win by four seconds over his team-mate Shane van Gisbergen.

Title rival McLaughlin received three penalties that dropped him to finish 18th, enough for Whincup to claim the title by 21 points.

“What a rollercoaster, massive event, I’m just glad we were able to put on such a good show. We fought hard, didn’t have the quickest car all year, but it’s all about teamwork and sport’s all mental,” said Whincup.

While beating McLaughlin, Whincup predicted success for his main rival for the coming years.

”No doubt that Scotty will go on to win probably the next eight. But glad that we got this one,” said Whincup.