The Whincup record that'll be hard to break

When it comes to starting a season on a high, no one was better than Jamie Whincup.

The latest Supercars Hall of Famer retired at the end of the 2021 season, and has embarked on a new era of Triple Eight team leadership.

As a driver, Whincup was one of the most meticulous drivers when it came to crafting a championship campaign.

In 18 full-time seasons, Whincup won the first race of a season a record nine times.

Seven wins came in Adelaide, and two in Abu Dhabi.

His first was in his maiden title campaign in 2008, and his last in 2020, coming just weeks after it was announced the Holden brand was to be retired.

Only one driver on the 2022 grid, former teammate Shane van Gisbergen, has won Race 1 of a new season.

Van Gisbergen did it in Adelaide in 2017 and 2018, and at Mount Panorama last February. Only in 2021 did he go on to win the title.

In 53 seasons, not including single-race seasons between 1960 and 1968, 26 times did a driver win Race 1 and go on to win the championship.

Whincup did it a record five times; Allan Moffat's six Race 1 victories are second overall to Whincup's nine.

Van Gisbergen would need to win Race 1 of a new season every year until 2027 to even match Whincup's record. By then, he will be 37.

Whincup has also won a record 13 races at the first round of a new season, including three clean sweeps.

He scored both wins in Adelaide in 2008, 2009 and an Abu Dhabi double in 2010.

Overall Adelaide honours in 2008

He has also won at a record 22 different circuits.

Away from dominating in Adelaide, he also won the 2010 and 2011 opening races in Abu Dhabi.

Such was Whincup's ownership of season-opening rounds, that after his retirement, only four active drivers have won on first weekends.

Van Gisbergen has won seven races at season-openers; James Courtney, Will Davison and Nick Percat combine for six wins.

Will a new driver add his name to the list when Race 1 commences under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park on March 5?

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Winning first race of a new ATCC/Supercars season*

9 times

Jamie Whincup (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020

6 times

Allan Moffat (1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1983)

5 times

Peter Brock (1974, 1978, 1980, 1984, 1992)

4 times

Mark Skaife (1994, 1999, 2001, 2002)Dick Johnson (1981, 1982, 1988, 1993)

3 times

Shane van Gisbergen (2017, 2018, 2021)Craig Lowndes (2000, 2006, 2013)Marcos Ambrose (2003, 2004, 2005)John Bowe (1989, 1996, 1998)Jim Richards (1985, 1990, 1991)

2 times

John Harvey (1976, 1979)

One time

Scott McLaughlin (2019)Todd Kelly (2007)Greg Murphy (1997)Larry Perkins (1995)Glenn Seton (1987)Robbie Francevic (1986)Colin Bond (1975)Bob Jane (1969)

*not including single-race seasons between 1960 and 1968

Key: Went on to win the championship

Race wins at season-opening ATCC/Supercars rounds*

13: Jamie Whincup10: Mark Skaife9: Craig Lowndes7: Allan Moffat, Shane van Gisbergen5: Peter Brock, John Bowe, Marcos Ambrose4: Dick Johnson, James Courtney3: Jim Richards, Scott McLaughlin2: John Harvey, Glenn Seton1: Bob Jane, Colin Bond, Robbie Francevic, Larry Perkins, Greg Murphy, Wayne Gardner, Craig Baird, Todd Kelly, Rick Kelly, Will Davison, Fabian Coulthard, Nick Percat

*not including single-race seasons between 1960 and 1968