Whincup believes late 2019 form carried over to first Supercars race of 2020

Opening 2020 Supercars race winner Jamie Whincup says confidence off the back of a strong finish to last season put Triple Eight in a strong position to challenge for the win today.

The seven-time championship winner extended his Adelaide win tally to 11 around the city streets, starting from pole and controlling the race en route to his 119th Supercars race victory.

After his Triple Eight squad took out the last seven races of 2019, the most successful driver in the history of the sport was able to take the team’s 12th win in the opening race of the season from the past 13 seasons, holding a championship lead for the first time since 2017.

Whincup says that their second-half 2019 form helped them going into this season but nothing was assured with the raft of changes to aerodynamics and control dampers across the field.

“I think in the back of my mind, we had confidence coming in from the back of my mind from last year,” Whincup said.

“It’s a full reset, it’s a new year, new circumstances and anything could have happened this weekend.

“I can’t believe how close the cars are; we’ve all rolled out with massive changes to aero and dampers but it’s still so close. If you make an error, you lose five spots.

“Today was set up by the shootout lap, to get track position.”

The factory Holden driver also dedicated his victory to employees of the Australian brand which announced this week that it would be closing at the end of 2021.

“It’s a big day for Holden and if was going to dedicate the win to anyone, it’s the staff who won’t have a job anymore. The dealers, the salesmen, everyone for Holden.”

Whincup heads into tomorrow’s race with a 12 point margin over two-time champion Scott McLaughlin, the first time he’s been ahead of the DJR Team Penske driver since their epic title decider at the end of 2017.