Six-time Supercar champion Jamie Whincup admits he will be hard-pressed to chase series leader Shane van Gisbergen down over the final two rounds.
The New Zealander has a 148-point lead over his Red Bull Racing teammate Whincup with just the sprint rounds at Pukekohe and Sydney to go.
"It is going to be a tall ask to get 148 points on a guy that is extremely quick with only a couple of rounds to go," Whincup says.
"Both cars are strong, which is what we want. My car is fast but Shane is right there. The championship is tight and there are only two rounds to go so it is on.
"You never say die - it is not over until it is over. We will go to New Zealand and keep grinding away."