The more things change in Supercars, the more they may stay the same.
The season will return after a 107-day coronavirus-enforced hiatus at this weekend’s Sydney SuperSprint with no support categories, no spectators and only limited support crews for teams due to health restrictions.
It also marks the first time Sydney Motorsport Park (SMP) will host a Supercars event since 2018, marking Mustang’s debut at the track.
Yet the portents are good for Ford’s two-time defending champion Scott McLaughlin to maintain his dominance when the round’s three 130km sprint races are held.
Qualifying will be even more important this season with shorter race formats adopted as Supercars play catch-up since shutting down in March.
McLaughlin has a record six pole positions at SMP and is quietly confident of extending his 27-point championship lead.
“I certainly believe it’s a track that will suit our car relatively well,” he said.
“It’s a very short season and a lot of short sprint races where you are going to have to qualify well as well.
“It’s a good place to start, Sydney Motorsport Park. Hopefully we can put on a good show.”
Holden dominated qualifying in the opening two rounds before the coronavirus shutdown with McLaughlin’s nearest series rival Jamie Whincup and Red Bull teammate Shane van Gisbergen sharing the spoils.
But McLaughlin warned his DJR Team Penske outfit had been working overtime during the pandemic break.
“We had a pretty good solid package beforehand but we definitely weren’t the best and hopefully we’ll come back stronger when we get to the track,” he said.
However, McLaughlin will be looking over his shoulder after seven-time series champion Whincup claimed he had emerged from the break revitalised.
“This break has showed me how much I love the sport and how much I want to be in it for longer rather than a shorter period of time,” he told Supercars.com website.
“I’ve got plenty of life left in me yet.”
Whincup – who has four career SMP race wins – will become only the eighth driver in history to record 500 career race starts this weekend.
Meanwhile, ex-series champion James Courtney will debut in Ford’s Tickford Racing garage, replacing Will Davison’s now defunct 23Red Mustang entry after a shock post round one exit from Holden’s Team Sydney.
The two-day Sydney SuperSprint starts on Saturday with all-in practice, qualifying, a top 15 shootout and the first of three 32-lap races.
In other news, Supercars confirmed the following July 18-19 event at Winton, Victoria would also be a TV-only round due to health advice with spectators hopefully returning at Darwin (August 8-9).
