How stars can clinch Finals berths in Sprint Cup finale

After a thrilling Repco Sprint Cup, the first spots in the historic Repco Supercars Finals Series are on the line at the Century Batteries Ipswich Super 440.

Following a remarkable to the season saw two of the three closest finishes in series history fall in just the opening 13 races of the year, a runaway Sprint Cup leader looks set to etch their name into the record books.

Having won seven of the last eight races, Red Bull Ampol Racing's Broc Feeney looks all but certain to clinch the Repco Sprint Cup at Queensland Raceway, and will become the first driver to secure their Golden Ticket into the Finals.

However, whilst Feeney has one hand on his Golden Ticket, he isn't the only one who could qualify for the Finals before the Enduro Cup.

What's at stake in Ipswich?

There are 315 points available at Queensland Raceway, including 15 bonus points for drivers who achieve the fastest lap in each of the three races, provided they finish in the top 15. Across the two enduros at the AirTouch 500 at The Bend and the Repco Bathurst 1000, there are 600 points available. Regardless of wherever they are placed in the championship after Bathurst, the Enduro Cup winner will also secure an automatic Finals berth. As such, any driver who is 601 points ahead of the driver in ninth after Ipswich will also qualify for the Finals based on points accumulation.

Broc Feeney

Win Sprint Cup; or, currently 808 points ahead of ninth, don't lose 209 to clinch

Championship leader Broc Feeney has the clearest path to the Finals. With a 220 point advantage in the Repco Sprint Cup standings, if he wins the opening race on Saturday with the fastest lap, he will earn his Golden Ticket to the post-season as the Sprint Cup champion, and will carry 25 bonus points into the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500. In the extremely unlikely event he doesn't top the Sprint Cup, he can't lose 209 points to the driver in ninth.

Will Brown

Win Sprint Cup; or, currently 588 points ahead of ninth, needs 13 more to clinch

Feeney's closest rival is his Red Bull Ampol Racing teammate Will Brown, and whilst the automatic Finals entry reserved for the Sprint Cup winner is all but out of reach, he looks odds on to lock away his berth in Ipswich. Brown is 588 points ahead of Andre Heimgartner in ninth, and needs to find an extra 13 points at Queensland Raceway. If he continues his consistent presence at the head of the field, it's a sure bet.

Matt Payne

Currently 573 points ahead of ninth, needs 28 more to clinch

Just 15 points behind Brown in a fierce battle for second in the standings, Matt Payne is also a very good chance of securing his passage to the Finals on points. If Payne gains 28 points on ninth exiting the weekend, he will be a mathematical lock into the Finals. Given Penrite Racing's strategic nous in the 200km Sunday races, it wouldn't be a surprise.

Cam Waters

Currently 390 points ahead of ninth, needs 211 more to clinch

Whilst the top three are all looking like certainties to secure passage into the Finals at Ipswich, it isn't a straightforward task for Cam Waters. 390 points ahead of Heimgartner, the Tickford spearhead needs to have a standout weekend in Queensland, which we know they are capable of following their sweep of the opening round in Sydney. Gaining 211 points in a weekend is a tall order however, and securing a Golden Ticket will likely be a proposition for the first leg of the Enduro Cup at The Bend.

Chaz Mostert

Currently 308 points ahead of ninth, needs 292 more to clinch

If it's a tall order for Waters, then securing a Finals berth at Ipswich is nigh on impossible for Chaz Mostert. The two-time Bathurst winner is on somewhat of an island in the standings, and at 308 points ahead of Heimgartner, is likely to feature in the post season barring disaster. However, pulling out 292 points over ninth on a weekend where 315 are available is a mathematical possibility only. Much like his good friend and rival Waters, Mostert's time will come in the long distance races.