V8 Superstars back their Origin teams

It comes as little surprise fierce V8 Supercars rivals Mark Winterbottom and Jamie Whincup are on different sides fortonight's massive Holden State of Origin clash in Sydney.

It is widely known that Whincup and Winterbottom have at best a distant respect for one another, seeded with dislike that goes back to the childhood karting days.

While convivial on the outside, they are clenching teeth on the inside.

Both had to fight their way through their early careers as battlers off the track finding enough support to keep their dreams alive. They were two of the biggest stars of karting before emerging in Australia's ultimate, V8 Supercars.

Whincup enjoyed a golden run supported by a golden team - just as Queensland had during its eight-year domination-while Winterbottom has consistently been very close, but never close enough. See New South Wales.

But having broken through with his victory at last year's Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and now with a 101-point lead in the Championship, Winterbottom finally appears to have the ascendancy. See New South Wales.

For the first time in years Whincup and his team look fallible. He sits fourth in the Championship, lurking behind in a position he has not been in for years. See Queensland.

But Whincup believesboth his teams - Queensland and Red Bull Racing Australia - can regroup.

"I think nine in a row is going to be a huge ask, but I'll be supporting the Maroons all the way," Whincup said. "We've got no room to move now - they definitely need to put in a huge performance to stay in it."

Though originally from Melbourne, eight years in Queensland has converted Whincup to a Maroons fan, as he has been based in Cane Toad country with Triple Eight Race Engineering.

"Origin is one of the best sporting matches of the year, in any sport," Whincup said.

"And it's awesome. I knew nothing about NRL when I got to Queensland but it got me hooked and I actually follow it quite religiously.

"Yeah, absolutely, I certainly get into it, I love seeing the guys really on their game and putting in their best performance on the big day -I guess just as we do at an event like Bathurst.

"That's what sport's all about, throwing it all on the line for your team and your teammate. So much passion, so much history, in Origin. Living in Queensland it's one of the things I really look forward to each year.

"I was really rapt to be at the third game last year when Queensland did eight in a row...

"I'm definitely going to game three, so I'll wear my crazy Maroon wig!"

Winterbottom hails from the struggling suburb of Doonside in Sydney's outer-west, while Whincup is a converted Melbournian now living happily in Queensland with a record-equaling five V8 Supercars Championships to his name.

"It'd be good if they could do it, because being a supporter it has been a bit of a drought! It's good they won the first game and you'd hope they'd win at home, that should be the big advantage," Winterbottom said.

"It'd be good if they win it, it's been so long. Every time it's State of Origin time, there's a big rivalry - it'd be good if we could get one up in the footy."

His thoughts on game one?

"I watched it, it was a good game - they won and I didn't expect it, actually.

"You get used to seeing them do what they do, get close, and always fall short - it was good to see them win because that should set them up now, there's no reason why they can't convert.

"Certainly seeing them win could be a good start to the week. That'd be nice, a blue win on Wednesday, and a blue win on the weekend!"

So when Queensland and New South Wales put it all on the line in the possible Series decider in Sydney, a similar play is happening in V8 Supercars.

Just like Origin the battle will be fierce and bitter, it will have its up and downs, its fights and its controversies until only on winner will emerge.

Be there at the upcoming events to see who edges closer to Championship victory in this critical mid-part of the season.

Purchase any ticket to the upcoming Castrol Townsville 500 - Driven by TAFE Queensland then go to V8 Supercars Facebook Page for your chance to win the ultimate Holden State of Origin Game Three experience including flights, accommodation, and Holden State of Origin game 3 tickets.

The best view is from the grandstands in Townsville, so ensure you are in pole position for the weekend's critical 500km of racing.

Tickets are also available for the SKYCITY Triple Crown, unfolding this weekend.