Whincup: Couldn't write a script like Adelaide 2012
When asked if one particular win stands out, there’s only one answer for Jamie Whincup.
For driver with a record 124 wins, Whincup still regards his 2012 Adelaide victory as his most special.
The Supercars Hall of Famer won the first race of 2012 just days after the passing of his father David.
Good friend Will Davison had victory in the palm of his hand in the closing stages of the race.
Whincup had to cut a large deficit to the #6 Ford after making his third stop.
The then reigning champion put in an inspired performance to secure victory.
Whincup clocked a stint of qualifying-style laps to chase down Davison, who was tight on fuel.
On the last lap, Davison's car coughed exiting Turn 8, and Whincup took the lead.
Whincup claimed an unlikely — and emotional — win, with Davison forced to walk back to the lane after his car came to a halt.
Davison still managed to console his friend, who went on to win his fourth championship.
The winning Commodore — chassis 888A-023, affectionately named ‘Kate’ — would take a record 28 wins.
That record was finally beaten by Shane van Gisbergen’s current chassis this year.
'You couldn’t write a script like it'
The Whincup era has since ended, and Holden’s will as well after next weekend’s VALO Adelaide 500.
Considering Holden’s swansong is edging ever closer, Whincup was proud to have his greatest win come in a Commodore.
"If I’m ever asked if one race stands out more than another, it’s that one,” Whincup told Supercars.com.
“It was a fairytale race after my father passed away the week before.
“We elected to pit for a third time, and the car was fantastic.
“We came back through the field and I passed my good mate Davo on the last lap.
“To take the lead on the last lap and win the race was very, very special.
“You couldn’t write a script like it.”
Whincup won a record 11 races in Adelaide, his last coming days after another emotional piece of news.
News of the Holden brand’s retirement came on the eve of the 2020 Adelaide 500.
Whincup — who was also in the spotlight over his future — duly crushed the field in Race 1.
It was yet more proof of Whincup’s mental fortitude in a Supercars career which has now spanned over 20 years.
Victory for Holden in 2020
However, when asked about the 2020 win, the racer in Whincup was typically coy.
“We rolled out fast and won the first race of the new decade,” he said of the 2020 win.
“It’s always important to start the year strongly.
“To win that race was a critical one for us.”
Red Bull Ampol Racing has the drivers' and teams' championships wrapped up heading to Adelaide.
The 2022 Repco Supercars Championship will conclude on the Adelaide streets on December 1-4.
Supercars will be on track on all four days of the event.
