McLaughlin, Tander in van Gisbergen's sights in 2022
12 Feb 2022
In three weeks' time, Shane van Gisbergen will be armed with extra motivation when his title defence begins in Sydney.
Van Gisbergen will commence the 2022 Repco Supercars Championship as reigning champion, having won the 2021 title.
The Red Bull Ampol Racing driver won 14 of 30 races last year in one of the most dominant campaigns on record.
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The Kiwi began the year on 40 wins and ended on 54, helping him to sixth on the all-time winners' list.
Van Gisbergen could equal two names very close to him as early as next month's Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight, which will feature two gruelling 300km races.
Scott McLaughlin and Garth Tander are tied for fourth all-time on 56 career victories, just ahead of van Gisbergen.
Van Gisbergen and Tander won Bathurst together in 2020
Both drivers played a key role in van Gisbergen's career; McLaughlin was van Gisbergen's chief rival, with Tander his Bathurst-winning co-driver.
Jamie Whincup, who retired at the end of 2021, leads the way on 124 wins ahead of Craig Lowndes (110) and Mark Skaife (90).
In 2021, van Gisbergen cleared Peter Brock (48 wins) and Glenn Seton (40).
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Should van Gisbergen clear McLaughlin and Tander in 2022, he'll have a long way to go before he can challenge the top three.
McLaughlin, who is preparing for his second full-time IndyCar season, paid tribute to van Gisbergen late last year amid his countryman's 2021 dominance.
Van Gisbergen finished runner-up to champion McLaughlin in 2018 and 2019, and third in 2020.
Van Gisbergen and McLaughlin shared several podiums
"Shane is…he honestly is in a league of his own right now," McLaughlin said.
"I’m just proud because at the end of the day, you know, we were rivals, heavy rivals back home in Australia and New Zealand.
"We always had a lot of respect... out of everyone in that sport, Shane is the one that messages me more often than not.
"We’ve got a good relationship and we’re proud to be flying the Kiwi flag."
The 13-event 2022 Repco Supercars Championship will commence in Sydney on March 4-6.
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