"I just want to enjoy it. I have worked bloody hard my whole life to get to the position I am in right now.
"It has been a standout year. We just have to finish it off now. If you could write a script this would be it. It is a great thing for Supercars and it all comes down to who does the best job on the final day like a grand final."
The gap between the two title contenders is only a couple of places here or there so there is no clear advantage.
In some ways there is more pressure on Whincup to balance protecting his championship lead but also try to secure as many points as possible.
"I guess when it is the final round when it is so close chasing is probably, for me, a little bit better but I think at the end of the day the championship has been so tight all year that it doesn't really matter," the 24-year-old McLaughlin said.
"You just have to go out there and drive as fast as you can because if you are winning races that will be the best thing for us.
"I know the points pretty well in regards to how much is given out so I understand if I win the race he needs to finish a couple of positions behind me each race but you can't control that.
"We have just got to go out there and do the best job we can and put pressure on them to either beat us or finish just behind us. If that doesn't pay off for them then we are going to be in a better spot."
A big challenge for both combatants is the fact this year is the first time the event has been staged at Newcastle.
"We have done a fair bit of study on the track with different photos and the virtual stuff that Supercars puts out," McLaughlin said. "I came and had a look last week myself.
"It is a track with a lot of character. If you look at any track that we have been to with elevation and different layouts with curbs they turn out to be bloody good races and a really good track.
"I think everyone is in for a cracker weekend."
Meanwhile halfway around the world Hartley will race the Formula 1 finale at Abu Dhabi, bringing the curtain down on an incredible 2017 for the 28-year-old. He won the Le Mans 24 Hour Race on his way to claiming a second World Endurance Championship with the factory Porsche team before getting a break-through opportunity with Formula 1 outfit Toro Rosso.
Hartley became the first Kiwi in over 30 years to compete in Formula 1 and will tackle his fourth event at the Yas Marina Circuit where he hopes to have bit more luck after a run of engine failures in his three previous races.
"I have actually driven there in the past," Hartley told Weekend Herald. "I did a race there about seven years ago and I did quite a bit of testing there in the Porsche 919.
"All the Formula 1 tracks we've been going to I have actually driven before, which is great for me.
"It is a new style Formula 1 circuit – not a lot of elevation change. Awesome for fans – it is probably the best facility in the sport.
"It should be good for us too.
"Sao Paulo wasn't probably very suited to our Toro Rosso F1 car. We weren't as competitive as we were in the previous two races.
"As far as I can work out we think it should be a stronger track for us. I have my eyes firmly set on points. I know it is a challenge with all the issues we have had going but that has to be the goal."
Back home Rally New Zealand serves as the final event in the New Zealand Rally Championship with a three-way fight for the title on the two-day rally.
Veteran driver Andrew Hawkeswood holds a 10-point lead over Subaru driver Ben Hunt while Matt Summerfield is a further point back in third. Kiwi WRC star Hayden Paddon will be the raging hot favourite to win in his Hyundai New Zealand i20 and Hawkeswood isn't even contemplating having a battle with the 30-year-old.
"I know my limitations and that is what Hayden does for a job," Hawkeswood said. "For myself to think I can beat him fair and square I'm dreaming. You have to think about what people do with their lives – I have been driving a bulldozer this week and I will be again on Monday."
