V8 Supercar drivers agree Sydney 500 is building into a 'marquee' sporting event Caruso (L), Winterbottom (C) and Webb are excited for the Sydney 500. MARK Winterbottom insists the Sydney 500 - a race seemingly destined for the scrapheap only last year - is now on the cusp of joining Australian sport's "marquee." In a huge boost for the testing Homebush circuit, reigning Bathurst 1000 champion Winterbottom says he and his V8 Supercar rivals, which includes fellow Sydneysiders Michael Caruso and Jonathon Webb, consider the Sydney Olympic Park street circuit the toughest on the calendar. Incredibly, the praise comes only 12 months after the event, then in only its fourth year, was almost scrapped because of ongoing tension between the State Government and V8 Supercars officialdom. "It's rare in any sport to see an event so young achieve marquee status," Winterbottom told The Daily Telegraph yesterday. But I really believe the Sydney 500 has done that. Not only is the race incredibly tough on drivers physically, but it's located in and around the iconic Olympic venue, is a course where mistakes come easily and has the added pressure of determining the Championship title. This year, the Sydney 500 represents the final round of what has been the closest Championship race in recent memory, with only 20 points separating Red Bull Racing teammates Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes. Ford Performance Racing star Winterbottom also remains in the mix, 124 points off the lead.