SVG's lucky 13: Series leader joins elite list
Series leader Shane van Gisbergen has joined a small group of drivers to have won 13 or more races in a season.
Race 23 at the ARMOR ALL Sydney Sydney SuperSprint marked van Gisbergen’s 13th win of the 2021 season, and 53rd of his career.
With the victory, he became the sixth driver to win 13 or more races in a year.
Red Bull Ampol Racing teammate Jamie Whincup, who finished second behind van Gisbergen, has done it twice.
Whincup won 15 races in 2008 and 14 races in 2014; both years, he won the championship in a canter.
Craig Lowndes did it in 1996 (16 wins) and 1998 (14), and won the title in both seasons.
Garth Tander also won 15 races en route to the 2007 championship.
Mark Skaife won 15 races, including the Bathurst 1000, on his dominant march to the 2002 crown.
Scott McLaughlin won a record 18 races in 2019, and won 13 times last year.
"I can't thank Red Bull Ampol Racing enough," van Gisbergen said.
"We did it tough last week; admittedly, the fastest car [Anton De Pasquale] was at the back.
"I'm excited to see how we go tomorrow against him.
"I can't thank the team enough, turning everything around. It's awesome."
Cars will return to the track on Sunday for Race 24 qualifying at 2:30pm AEDT.
Race 24 will commence at 4:35pm, with the floodlit Race 25 to follow at 7:30pm.
Tickets for all Sydney events are on sale now.
Drivers to have won 13 or more races in a season
18: Scott McLaughlin (2019)16: Craig Lowndes (1996)15: Mark Skaife (2002), Garth Tander (2007), Jamie Whincup (2008)14: Craig Lowndes (1998), Jamie Whincup (2014)13: Scott McLaughlin (2020), Shane van Gisbergen (2021)*
*season ongoing
