Craig Lowndes has hailed Jamie Whincup as the greatest Supercars driver of the current era after his long-term rival claimed his record for most race wins.
Whincup's 106th series win, achieved on Sunday at Sydney Motorsport Park, lifted him above Lowndes.
![Revved-up: Jamie Whincup has closed the gap on Scott McLaughlin in the Championship race.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170821233129im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/0/e/9/r/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gy0ebd.png/1503221934663.jpg)
The Red Bull Holden driver now has the record for most championships, pole positions and race wins after 13 dominant seasons.
So does that make Whincup the greatest driver of all time?
![For the ages: Red Bull Holden Racing Team Australia celebrate Jamie Whincup's record win at Sydney Motorsport park.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170821233129im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/0/e/a/1/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gy0ebd.png/1503221934663.jpg)
"Of this era, he's the greatest, there's no doubt about that," Lowndes said. "It's hard to say he's the greatest of all time as different eras have different greats.
"It was just a matter of time before he beat it. He's a great, determined driver and for as long as he puts his backside in a race car he'll win races."
Whincup's victory, achieved in a largely strategic race, bolstered his hopes of a seventh championship after a near-perfect weekend at Eastern Creek. He followed his Saturday podium with victory ahead of Fabian Coulthard and Shane Van Gisbergen.
His bumper haul of points reduced his 129-point deficit to series leader Scott McLaughlin to just 12 heading into the endurance races.
![Full camber: Jamie Whincup of Red Bull Holden Racing leads Chaz Mostert of Supercheap Auto Racing in the Red Rooster ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170821233129im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/0/e/a/8/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gy0ebd.png/1503221934663.jpg)
McLaughlin finished fourth on Sunday after maintaining his stunning qualifying run. The 24-year-old claimed his seventh-straight pole to equal Whincup's all-time best season of 13 poles.
With eight races left, McLaughlin appears certain to set an astonishing new benchmark for the sport. But it couldn't deliver him a race win in Sydney.
On Saturday, a bump on Van Gisbergen brought a post-race penalty that left him 21st. The pair duelled again on Sunday, with Van Gisbergen pulling off a divebomb pass of McLaughlin on turn five.
McLaughlin was swamped off the line in the 200km race finding himself fifth at the end of the first lap. Chaz Mostert jumped out of the blocks to lead, only for Whincup to take control through a safety car 10 laps later.
The veteran was one of the few drivers to pit early, and when Rick Kelly's tyre blow-up on the main straight brought a yellow flag, Whincup emerged in front. Van Gisbergen was able to overtake his teammate on lap 29 after Whincup locked up on cold tyres.
Whincup was let through by Van Gisbergen after car No.88 showed superior pace.
"Thanks to my teammate. We look after each other here at Red Bull," Whincup said. "The car was quick. It's a good feeling heading into a big endurance season."
McLaughlin and Van Gisbergen were served post-race penalties for their Saturday clash.
Van Gisbergen botched an overtaking move under the green flag, and McLaughlin responded by hitting his compatriot at the next corner – costing them both a swag of championship points.
AAP