Race in four: Whincup, Winterbottom, Lowndes and Davison vie for title Mark Winterbottom holds off Jamie Whincup to win the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 race at Mt Panorama. THE CLOSEST V8 Supercars championship in history will be decided on the streets of Sydney with an unprecedented nine drivers a mathematical chance of taking out the sport's biggest prize at the year ending Sydney 500. A classic Ford v Holden decider looms with the revolutionary "Car of the Future" program levelling the field to create a thrilling finale that has the legend's of the sport at odds when it comes to predicting the man who will be crowned champion. "This is the closest championship in Australian motorsport history," said Mark Skaife. There are 600 points up for grabs over the last two race meetings. Six points from a total of 2549 separate first (Craig Lowndes) from second (Jamie Whincup). That is 0.0023 per cent. That is just staggering. One bad day or one good day could make or break you. While nine drivers are a theoretical chance of winning the title, you can forget the equations, sums, and calculations because this is strictly a four-way fight. This year's champion will be Jamie Whincup, Craig Lowndes, Mark Winterbottom or Will Davison. That is about the only thing Dick Johnson, Mark Skaife and Jim Richards agree on. Heading into the penultimate round of the championship at Phillip Island, the three legends run the rule over the field. Here are there predictions. JAMIE WHINCUP (Red Bull Racing Australia). Both Mark Skaife and Jim Richards have predicted Whincup will rewrite the history books by winning a record equalling 5th championship. While the Holden driver trails teammate Lowndes by six points, both Skaife and Richards think Whincup's qualifying ability will see him become a legend of the sport by winning his third consecutive title. Whincup is the fastest driver in the field and the duo claim that he will not crack under pressure despite suggestions he is faltering because of the blowtorch being applied by Ford's Winterbottom. "Jamie is the man with the form at this end of the year," said Skaife. He has proven that over the last five years and I think he will win. He is the benchmark qualifier in the field and I think that is what will get him home. You need to stay out of trouble and be up the front at this time of the year and his qualifying ability will ensure he is where he needs to be. Jamie will give himself the best opportunity through qualifying. Richards has no doubt Whincup will equal Skaife and Johnson's record haul of five titles this year. "He is as composed as they come," Richards said. People are saying he is fragile, but they said that last year and the year before. He is the man to beat. Reigning champion Jamie Whincup has fallen behind in the title race.Pics Adam Head Source: News Limited Lowndes leads the championship and his desperation to win his first title since 1999 and emerge from the shadows of Whincup will be enough to drive him to his forth title, said Johnson. Lowndes has three titles, but the endurance King has not been able to string a season together since his days with the Holden Racing Team. He has a history of poor starts and strong finishes. This year he has done enough to be in front. And Johnson said that, and his utter determination, will see him beat all. "I have said Jamie will not win all year," Johnson said. And I still think that is the case. I just have a feeling that Jamie is faltering and I think the others just want it more. Lowndes is just a hungry bugger and he can smell the spoils. He is the underdog with in the team and this is his chance to become top-dog. He has a big shot at this. Skaife won't write off the man he won Bathurst with. "Craig been strong and consistent," Skaife said. Don't write him off and never discontent him. But my issue with Craig is his qualifying. He hasn't been strong and I think Whincup will prevail because you need to be at the front of the field and stay out of trouble. Craig Lowndes snatched the championship lead on the streets of Surfers Paradise. The Bathurst winner is Ford's great hope. The Sydney born driver scored a huge psychological blow over his rivals by winning Bathurst and has taunted Whincup in a bid to unsettle him. Winterbottom can beat anyone and everyone on his day and so can FPR. But unfortunately the team's speed is often ruined by mistakes and the legends think that will ultimately see Winterbottom fail. "He is a great driver and the team can be the quickest when they get it right," Johnson said. But unfortunately they have a slip up here and there and I think that will cost them in the end. Skaife simply thinks Whincup is quicker. "I am so enthused by FPR's form," Skaife said. I like what they have done. The right signs are there but take away all the fluff and all the talk and this sport is about speed. It sounds dumb but the quickest car the quickest bloke will win. And that man is Jamie Whincup. Mark Winterbottom is Ford's best hope of breaking Holden's dominance. Former championship runner up Davison is the long shot. Back in fourth, he will not only have to beat the Red Bull pair but also jump his own teammate. And Skaife thinks that is impossible given he is walking out on the team at the end of the year to drive a Mercedes. "Will has had a fantastic year," said Skaife. A lot of his efforts haven't been rewarded well enough. I don't think he is a chance because let's be honest, we are at the business end of the year and he has signed for another team. His teammate is in front of him and I don't think he will be getting any favours given that he is leaving and Mark is staying. I don't think he will be getting great service. V8 Supercars driver Will Davison at Main Beach. Will Davison (FPR) Event Starts: 116 Race Starts: 255 Race Wins: 16 (two in 2013) Podiums: 44 (1st:15, 2nd:14, 3rd:15) Poles: 16 (two in 2013) Best Championship Results: second in 2009 Jamie Whincup (Red Bull) Event Starts: 140 Race Starts: 300 Race Wins: 73 (nine in 2013) Podiums: 110 (1st:63, 2nd:28, 3rd:21) Poles: 50 (12 so far 2013) Best Championship Results: First (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012) Craig Lowndes (Red Bull) Event Starts: 220 Race Starts: 502 Race Wins: 93 (four in 2013) Podiums: 118 (1st:52, 2nd:44. Poles: 32 Best Championship Results: First (1996, 1998, 1999) Mark Winterbottom (FPR) Event Starts: 138 Race Starts: 305 Race Wins: 23 (three in 2013) Podiums: 77 (1st:16, 2nd:31, 3rd:30) Poles: 27 (2 so far 2013) Best Championship Results: Second in 2008