1. JAMIE WHINCUP – RED BULL HOLDEN RACING TEAM

Has won more championships (6) and more races (107) than any other driver in history. Has one hand on his seventh Supercars title with 30-point lead heading into final two races. The most dominant driver of the past decade, knows what it takes to win when everything is on the line. Hasn’t won a championship since 2014. McLaughlin will need to finish several places in front of Whincup in either Newcastle races to snatch the championship title.

2. SCOTT MCLAUGHLIN – SHELL V-POWER RACING TEAM

In 2013, the now 24-year old became the youngest ever race winner in Supercars history, showing his potential as a future star of the sport. In 2017, the young kiwi has lived up to that potential, claiming 14 pole positions and seven race wins. Despite Whincup winning just three races this year, McLaughlin trails by 30 points and will need to put everything on the line in Newcastle to claim his first ever Supercars crown.

3. FABIAN COULTHARD – SHELL V-POWER RACING TEAM

McLaughlin’s teammate has had plenty to celebrate off the track lately, becoming a father to twins in October. The English-born kiwi has led the championship for five rounds this year, and is still in with a chance if McLaughlin and Whincup falter in Newcastle. Smart driver who will have his best-ever career finish in the championship this year, previous best was 6th in 2013.

4. CHAZ MOSTERT – SUPERCHEAP AUTO RACING

The former Bathurst 1000 winner was only tipped as an outside chance for the championship this year, but has been one of the standout performers throughout 2017. Championship is all but out of reach now after two major incidents ruined his chances in New Zealand. Has three race wins for the year and Newcastle street circuit will suit his style of driving. Previous best championship result was 7th in 2014 and 2016.

5. SHANE VAN GISBERGEN – RED BULL HOLDEN RACING TEAM

The defending Supercars champion basically ended his back-to-back title ambitions with a pit lane crash in New Zealand three weeks ago. Is a fearless driver who always puts everything on the line, so among the favourites for race wins on untested Newcastle circuit. Needs strong results to help Red Bull Holden win the Team Championship. Played schoolboy rugby union alongside several current All Blacks before turning his attention to motorsport. 

6. CRAIG LOWNDES - TEAMVORTEX

He hasn’t won a race or finished on the podium at all in 2017 despite his incredible career tally of 105 career wins and three championship titles. Best result this year is three 4th placings, including two from his past three races. An all-time great of the sport, will know more about how to win on a new track than any other driver in Newcastle. A favourite among Supercars fans, will be keen to finish his year on a high.

7. CAM WATERS – MONSTER ENERGY RACING

He won his first ever career race at Sandown 500 earlier this year, less than two years after taking out the 2015 Dunlop Super2 Series. Joined television host, Grant Denyer, as a co-driver in the 2009 Bathurst 1000 after winning his way through a television series. That drive made him the youngest ever competitor in the legendary race. If it rains in Newcastle, Waters will be one of the favourites.

8. MARK WINTERBOTTOM – THE BOTTLE-O RACING TEAM

A tough year by the 2015 Supercars champion’s lofty standards. Has had three podium finishes but no race wins this year, however has found speed over the back end of the season. One of the most consistent drivers in the field, hasn’t finished outside the top six in the championship since 2006.

9. GARTH TANDER – WILSON SECURITY RACING GRM

Won the first ever race on the Homebush street circuit in 2009 and will be looking to create another piece of history this weekend in Newcastle. The 2007 Supercars champion will be looking to finish his 20th season in the category on a high. Sits fourth on the all-time Supercars win list. Wife Leanne is Australia’s most successful female racer.

10. DAVID REYNOLDS – EREBUS PENRITE RACING

Born in Albury, the “Joker” of pit lane had the last laugh earlier this year when he claimed a memorable win at the Bathurst 1000. Has qualified well all year, resulting in one 3rd placing, and the Bathurst victory. Will be looking to finish his year on a high on the winding Newcastle street circuit. Finished 3rd in the final ever race at Homebush. 

11. SCOTT PYE – MOBIL 1 HSV RACING

Pye claimed the 2010 British Formula Ford championship before returning to Australia to begin his push for Supercars success. Although yet to record a race win in a Supercar, Pye did finish 2nd in this year’s Bathurst 1000 with his Commodore sporting a livery made famous by the ultimate King of the Mountain, Peter Brock. Off track, Pye spends time at home in Melbourne with his British Bulldog, Lawd Basil, who has his own Instagram account.

12. TIM SLADE – FREIGHTLINER RACING

In a year the Brad Jones Racing Team would rather forget, Slade has recorded eight Top 10 finishes, including a 3rd placing on the Gold Coast street circuit. Born in Hornsby in Sydney’s North, Slade will be looking for a strong finish to 2017 on the streets of Newcastle and if he qualifies well, will be among the contenders, especially for a podium. 

13. MICHAEL CARUSO – NISSAN MOTORSPORT

The best of the Nissan drivers over the past two years, Caruso can still finish as high as 11th in the championship if results go his way on the streets of Newcastle. A race winner in Darwin in 2016, Caruso has finished 5th twice this year. A junior karting champion, Caruso will be looking to claim his 10th career podium this weekend. Off the track Caruso is a father to two girls and a lifelong fan of the Juventus football club. 

14. RICK KELLY – SENGLED RACING

The 2006 Supercars champion has achieved the rare double of success as both a driver and team owner. Alongside brother Todd, Rick formed Kelly Racing in 2009. The Nissan’s are expected to perform well on the Newcastle street circuit which could be good news to fans of Kelly who have supported the Mildura product on the Supercars stage since 2001.

15. WILL DAVISON – TEKNO WOODSTOCK RACING

It’s been a difficult year for the 2016 Bathurst 1000 winner, who is chasing his 20th career race victory. After finishing 2nd in the 2009 Supercars championship behind good friend Jamie Whincup, Davison has been a consistent performed for a range of different teams. A fitness fanatic off the track, Davison will be out to impress in Newcastle as he tries to secure a full-time seat for 2018 with his future at Tekno not yet confirmed beyond this year.

16. JASON BRIGHT – MEGA RACING

The oldest in the field at 44, Bright is one of Australia’s best internationally experienced drivers and an outside chance at a major upset in Newcastle. With experience in Indy/Champ Cars in the USA as well as over 20 years’ experience in Supercars, Bright’s knowledge of what to expect from a new track could be invaluable to his Prodrive team’s chances. Best result in 2017 to date has been a 5th placing in Auckland three weeks ago.

17. JAMES MOFFAT – WILSON SECURITY RACING GRM

In what will be his final event representing Garry Rogers Motorsport, Moffat will be hoping to finish on a high. Following the hall of fame success of his father Allan, Moffat created his own piece of history with the first ever win for a Nissan in 2013 and a 2nd placing at the Bathurst 1000 the same year. Has recorded six Top 10 finishes in 2017.

18. LEE HOLDSWORTH – PRESTON HIRE RACING

After putting a horror 2016 behind him, Holdsworth has managed six Top 10 finishes with Team 18 in 2017. A father to two, Holdsworth is a keen golfer and cyclist off the track, with three career race wins to his name. His 12 years’ experience as a full-time driver will be valuable on testing Newcastle street circuit.

19. TODD KELLY – CARSALES RACING

A team owner with 19 career race wins to his name, the elder of the Kelly brothers has managed five Top 10 finishes in 2017 without any podium results. Off track he’s achieved plenty this year, including a Bass Straight crossing from Victoria to Tasmania on a jet ski. Always a strong performer in wet conditions. Has a pilot’s licence and often flies his entire team to and from Supercars events in personal aircraft.

20. JAMES COURTNEY - MOBIL 1 HSV RACING

Regarded as one of the most talented drivers in pit lane, 2017 has been one to forget for James Courtney. The 2010 Supercars champion did record one podium finish at the season opening Adelaide 500 but has struggled ever since. One of the most famous names in motorsport, Michael Andretti announced Walkinshaw Andretti United will support Courtney’s team in 2018, which the former champion hopes will change his fortunes going forward.

21. NICK PERCAT – BRAD JONES RACING

A skilled driver with an enviable record in big events, Percat could be a surprise packet at the first ever Coates Hire Newcastle 500. As a co-driver, he has three podiums including one race win at the Bathurst 1000. Last year he also claimed an unlikely victory at the Adelaide 500. A karting champion as a junior, Percat’s record of major upsets could be added to, at the first ever Newcastle event. Has two Chocolate Labradors named Douglas and Nelson.

22. TIM BLANCHARD – COOLDRIVE RACING

Blanchard has recorded one Top 10 finish in 2017 in a season that saw his Cool Drive Commodore flip in the most spectacular crash of the year. Following co-driver Todd Hazelwood’s crash at Sandown, Hazelwood’s car was completely rebuilt. Blanchard has his eye set on becoming an owner in the future and this could be his final full-time drive depending on driver movements over the off-season.

23. DALE WOOD – EREBUS GB GALVANIZING RACING

The first Coates Hire Newcastle 500 will be Dale Wood’s last as a full-time Supercar driver. The 10-year veteran has announced he is stepping down at the end of the year to be replaced by current Dunlop Super2 driver, Anton De Pasquale. Wood finished 4th at this year’s Bathurst 1000 and has two other Top 10 finishes to his name heading into his final Supercars event.

24. SIMONA DE SILVESTRO – TEAM HARVEY NORMAN

A tough initiation would be a good way to describe Simona’s first year of full-time driving in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship. As the first full-time female driver in the Supercars era, the former Indy 500 Rookie of the Year has learned plenty from season number one in the Harvey Norman Nissan Altima. A huge favourite of fans at any race track, Simona is hoping to end her rookie year on a high on the streets of Newcastle.

25. JACK PERKINS – REPAIR MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA RACING

Son of motor racing legend Larry, Jack Perkins has stepped in for the final three events of the year for LDM. Perkins is one of the most popular drivers in pit lane after defeating the odds time and time again, including a diabetes diagnosis during his rookie full-time season in 2007. Will enjoy being a part of the first ever Newcastle 500.

26. AAREN RUSSELL – PLUS FITNESS RACING

The local product is hoping for the ultimate fairy tale on the streets of his hometown this weekend. Has been a great servant of Novocastrian motorsport, helping local teams to expand into national competitions. Hugely talented driver, the home crowd will go ballistic if Russell can steer the Plus Fitness Commodore to a podium finish this weekend.