Most of the field made it through the Sandown 500 mechanically unscathed, but Bathurst is twice the distance and the track's a hard mistress who'll find the weakest link in any car less than perfectly prepared.
Along with championship leaders Whincup and Lowndes, most eyes will be on the next three Australians on the points table; Will Davison, Mark Winterbottom, and especially James Courtney who is definitely in with a chance of being partnered with four-time Bathurst winner New Zealander Greg Murphy.
And speaking of Kiwis, you'd be a tad foolish not to keep an eye on the three full-time Kiwi drivers in the main game who all happen to be in the top 10 in the championship. Fabian Coulthard leads the charge in sixth with Shane van Gisbergen right behind and recent addition to the series Scott McLaughlin in 10th.
"I'm really excited to be back at Bathurst and it's surprising how excited you can be about a place that has not been very kind to me,' said Coulthard, who's driving with Luke Youlden.
"We've been fast here in the past but just haven't had the luck in the race. We've been in the top 10 shoot-out on numerous occasions and qualified well in the past. But the race just doesn't seem to like me.
"This race can really affect your championship points-wise.
"We're having a strong series this year and we need to finish the race this time.
"On my past performances I'd just like to finish a race but it's a hard race. We haven't had any luck in the past and surely it's going to change this year," said Coulthard.
Someone who had lady luck looking over his shoulder was McLaughlin, who finished a brilliant sixth on his debut as a rookie last year.
The young Kiwi has posted three wins in the Development Series on the Mountain in the past. This year he's sharing driving duties with another youngster, Jack Perkins.
"There's no point in putting pressure on yourself," said McLaughlin. "I'm just looking forward to going out there and giving it a red hot go like I normally do and see where we end up.
"Our cars have shown good pace all year and I've got Jack in the car with me, who I think is one of the best co-drivers out there so it's all good.
"It took a few years to get comfortable around Bathurst and last year helped a lot.
"I think we'll be all right. It's a long day and you don't have to do your fastest lap at the start of the day. You just have to make sure you're there at the end."
The last, and by no means the least, of the Kiwi main driver contingent is Shane van Gisbergen who has hit his straps again with his new team Tekno Autosports, but he may be hampered slightly by his co-driver Jeroen Bleekemolen.
The Dutch driver has quite a pedigree in open wheelers, sports cars and DTM, but hurling a V8 Supercar around Bathurst for the first time is a different kettle of fish. "I'm just looking forward to getting out there," said van Gisbergen. "It's a great place to race with so much action and drama and you can make up so much time by just driving as hard as you can.
"At this track if your car isn't the best you can still make up so much time with your driving. Over the top there is just so much to it and if you get it right you can carry so much speed even in a big car. "You also get an extra day to sort the car if it's not handling properly ..."
Although no longer plying his considerable talents full-time in V8 Supercars, Murphy will be a huge asset to the HRT team and Courtney. The pair will be a big threat, now the team is getting their heads around the new car.
