The V8 Supercars championship appears down to a two-man race between Holden teammates Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes after they blew away their rivals on Phillip Island on Sunday.
Four-time and defending champion Whincup and three-time champion Lowndes shared the victory spoils from the two races to secure a buffer of more than 100 points from third-placed Ford driver Mark Winterbottom going into the season-ending round at Sydney's Olympic Park circuit on December 6-8.
Still chasing his maiden series title after a runner-up and four third placings, Winterbottom was left to reflect on another that may have got away after his strong weekend qualifying efforts - two poles and a third - produced just one podium finish, a second placing.
He now has it all to do in Sydney with a 124-point gap to leader Whincup (2815 points) while Lowndes is on 2795 as he seeks his first title since 1999.
Whincup was under no illusions about the battle ahead with Red Bull Racing teammate Lowndes.
"Sydney's going to be another slogfest," said Whincup.
"It's going to be up to us to scrap out a championship amongst the other guys who are all trying to go out on a big high.
"There's no margin really.. it's so easy to DNF in Sydney or have a bad run."
Lowndes - third in race three after winning race two - was not despondent despite having his narrow points lead overtaken by Whincup.
"It's been an unbelievable season... it'll come down to whoever gets it right on the day," said Lowndes.
But Winterbottom remained determined, figuring Red Bull Racing teammates Whincup and Lowndes could hamper each other as they go head to head for the title.
"These two are not going to be so friendly in a few weeks time and I'm going to slide on through," said a grimacing Winterbottom.
Sunday's wins were built on fast starts off the grid with Lowndes coming from eighth to win race two and Whincup rising to win from fifth in race three.
Lowndes sensationally won the second race of the meet by passing Whincup with five laps to go to win from his teammate with Shane van Gisbergen third.
Whincup overtook Lowndes for the lead on lap two of race three and was never headed as he won from Winterbottom and Lowndes.
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