Jamie Whincup adamant he's the long-shot to win this year's V8 Supercars title Whincup heads to Phillip Island six points behind Lowndes in the title chase. JAMIE Whincup has made the astonishing claim that he is the "long-shot" to win this year's V8 Supercars' title and join legends Dick Johnson, Mark Skaife and Ian "Pete" Geoghegan with a record equalling fifth championship. On the eve of the penultimate round of the V8 series with practice to begin at Phillip Island today, the most dominate man of the modern era said he was an underdog because he was chasing sentimental fan favourite and Red Bull teammate Craig Lowndes at two race tracks where he has failed to fire. "Out of the four contenders I am the long shot," Whincup said. We are coming to the two tracks that I have had the least amount of results at and I am up against some very quick blokes with runs on the board. I would have liked to have had the lead but I don't. I have to have a big weekend if I am to be any shot at this. Not too many will agree with Whincup, who is considered the red-hot favourite with bookmakers, experts and fans. With four titles in just five years, the Victorian, now based on the Gold Coast, has proven both his talent and ability to deliver under pressure. Whincup is the best qualifier in the field and rarely losses once in the clear. To be more precise, he rarely losses. Period. But he is also extremely humble and the claim might just be his way of avoiding a cocky statement. The Daily Telegraph asked Whincup whether he genuinely believed he was not the favourite to beat contenders Lowndes, and Ford duo Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison. "Hey I feel like I am a good chance," Whincup said. Whincup gets ready for Friday practice at the Gold Coast 600. But I am aware that I have not won at Phillip Island since 2009 and Lowndes has won eight at this venue. I have never had a podium at Homebush. They are the facts. Whincup also admitted that his teammate was the sentimental favourite with the ever popular Lowndes having not won a championship since 1999. "There is no doubt everyone wants to see him win," Whincup said. 100 per cent the fans want him to win. But I work hard and I dedicate myself to motorsport and being my best. I have a lot of people in my corner and I don't want to let them down. Whincup said this weekend was vital to his chances of continuing his relentless attack on the V8 Supercars in a stunning period that mirrors Sebastian Vettel's domination of Formula One. "It is massively critical," Whincup said. I never like talking about the championship until after Bathurst but now it is well and truly important and business time. It is still a four horse race. Will Davison is still well and truly in the hunt, Craig is extremely quick and FPR have dominated at this circuit in the past. This weekend is vital and I have to put my head down and see what I can do. The Holden top-gun said he will be all out on the attack to bridge the narrow gap to Lowndes and give himself a Sydney shot. "I am going for it,"Whincup said. It is flat chat all the way. The Gold Coast was a hairy one but from here on in it is foot to the floor. The more points you can get here the more chance you have in Sydney. V8 racer Michael Caruso takes us on a guided tour of the Nissan V8 Supercars team's race garage.