Winterbottom set for remarkable race start record

When he launches from 12th in Race 11 at The Bend Motorsport Park, Mark Winterbottom will become the first driver in ATCC/Supercars history to start 500 consecutive races.

Winterbottom made his main game debut in 2003, and was promoted to the main game in 2004 by Larkham Motorsport.

Between 2006 and 2018, Winterbottom raced out of the Tickford stable, winning 38 races, including the 2013 Bathurst 1000 and 2015 series title.

He joined Team 18 in 2019, with the team creating a sticker to celebrate the occasion.

WATCH: WINTERBOTTOM COMMENTS ON MILESTONE

The sticker will ride above his name on the #18 IRWIN Racing Commodore for the 24-lap Race 11.

Winterbottom's streak began back in 2005 at Hidden Valley, after failing to start two races at the previous round in Shanghai.

He missed the final two races in China after he drove over a grate that had opened up on the circuit, ripping a hole in his Falcon.

Since then, the 39-year-old has scored 36 poles and 38 wins, and is fourth all-time on the podiums list.

He is eighth all-time on the round starts lists with 241 round starts, and has made 537 race starts.

"Frosty is one of the all-time legends of Supercars, and it is a testament to the way that he has carried himself through his entire career that he becomes the first driver in history to reach this milestone,” team owner Charlie Schwerkolt said.

"He has been an incredible part of the Team 18 journey, and he is still performing at the top of his game against the younger generation of drivers.

"To recognise his achievements in this way is the least we can do to celebrate his outstanding career.

"He will be a critical asset to our team as we move forward into the new phase of the Supercars Championship in the years to come."