By any measure 2018 has been a year to forget so far for Supercars star Mark Winterbottom.
The Ford ace has just one podium from 16 races this year, a second-place finish at Perth, and is languishing in a lowly 14th on the championship standings at the midway point of the season.
It means Winterbottom now has a winless run stretching back to Pukekohe in November 2016.
Winterbottom will make his 400th start for Tickford Racing - the Ford outfit he's been with since 2006 - at this weekend's Townsville 400.
His long-term future however remains uncertain with his current deal with Tickford expiring at the end of the year.
A three-time winner at Townsville's Reid Park circuit, which is a blend of public roads and purpose-built racetrack, Winterbottom is hoping a return to happy hunting ground can bring about a turnaround in fortune.
"We've had an up-and-down season, but one of our strengths is the kerb riding ability of the car, and obviously street tracks have a lot of that," the 37-year-old said.
"It seems like a tough season, but Adelaide is the only other street race we've been to.
"We were very strong, very competitive, and probably could have won the race on Sunday there."
"Street tracks prioritise what you can achieve, and kerb ride is probably an area where we're quite strong, so I'm optimistic that we'll be on for a good weekend."
The Townsville 400 begins on Friday with practice before a 200km race each on Saturday and Sunday.
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