Three drivers, nine points: Epic battle to resume in Sydney

Shane van Gisbergen may enjoy a healthy points lead heading to Sydney, but it’s all to play for behind him.

Van Gisbergen enters race week with a 276-point lead over Red Bull Ampol Racing teammate Jamie Whincup.

Whincup, in turn, is 136 points ahead of Tickford Racing’s Cameron Waters.

From there, it gets really tight; Waters is just eight points ahead of Chaz Mostert, who is just one point ahead of Will Davison.

Three drivers, from three different teams, covered by just nine points.

Only Waters (three wins) and Mostert (two) have tasted victory of the trio, but Davison’s eight podium visits trump both.

Only van Gisbergen (15 podiums) and Whincup (nine) have more podiums than Shell V-Power Racing Team recruit Davison in 2021.

Across the 19 races so far this season, Waters leads the head-to-head over Mostert and Davison seven-six-six.

Waters, meanwhile, is the only driver of the three to have never won at Sydney Motorsport Park.

In fact, Waters has never finished better than sixth at SMSP. Davison won in 2008, with Mostert winning twice in 2015.

Mostert has won twice in 2021

The battle for third is as close as it gets, and second place is in the offing. However, it’s not what Waters wants.

“No one wants to finish fifth or third, I don’t care too much about that,” Waters told Supercars.com.

“Even second; we just want to win it. But we understand the situation.

“The focus remains the same as every other weekend; go out and get as many points as we can.”

Waters won two races at the last start WD-40 Townsville SuperSprint, notably defying van Gisbergen and Davison in the finale.

Davison is chasing his first win since 2016

The newly re-signed Waters made up ground in Townsville, but conceded four straight rounds at SMSP will be a challenge.

However, should van Gisbergen slip up at any stage in Sydney, the title could remain alive heading to the 300-point Bathurst season finale.

“You saw in Townsville that when we got it right, it paid off,” Waters said.

“But finishing the year in Bathurst is also crucial because of the big points it offers.

“Four rounds in a row in Sydney, it’ll be a challenge but we’ll fight as always.

“That’s the plan."

The 2021 Repco Supercars Championship will continue at this weekend’s Bunnings Trade Sydney SuperNight.

Tickets for all four upcoming Sydney events are on sale now.

All sessions will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and streamed via Kayo.

The Seven Network will broadcast live from 3:30pm AEDT on Saturday and 12:30pm AEDT on Sunday.