Seven-time Supercars champion and series record holder Jamie Whincup is refusing to give up on an eighth title this season but concedes his career in the sport is coming to an end.
The Red Bull Holden Racing driver has fallen a whopping 364 points behind current series leader Scott McLaughlinheading into this weekend's round at Hidden Valley Raceway near Darwin.
That constitutes a whole race weekend worth of points and some meaning Whincup will have to rely on the New Zealander to run into some problems in the coming rounds to get back into the title fight.
Having come from behind to beat McLaughlin in a thrilling final round showdown that sealed the title last year, Whincup knows the season is long and he hasn't conceded the fight by any stretch of the imagination.
"I don't think you should write me off a third of the way through the year," the 35-year-old Whincup said. "There is still a lot of water to flow under the bridge.
"We have led this championship this year. We are a fair bit behind now through a great run from car #17. Anyone can get on a good run and score some points.
"We will keep our head down and do the best we can."
Whincup celebrates his 450th race start in the Northern Territory and admits he has limited time left at the peak of his powers.
No-one has won more Supercars races than Whincup but he has consistently said he won't race forever.
"I still have plenty of left me in life in general but motorsport – I don't want to go past my used by date," Whincup said. "My days are numbered.
"I still feel like I am at my peak though but I want to go out at my peak as well though. "I will keep my head down. I am not sure how many more [seasons] I have got left. I won't be Craig Lowndes going until I am 40.
"I am certainly enjoying it as much as I have ever done. I feel like I am as competitive as I've ever been."
