Eleventh place may be little reward for what Supercars great Mark Skaife described as a "once in a generation" drive at this year's Bathurst 1000.
But it will make a fired up Jamie Whincup almost unstoppable in this weekend's Gold Coast 600, Skaife says.
Whincup looks set to have a finish of 11th place for October 9's Great Race confirmed after his appeal over a time penalty that cost him a fifth Bathurst 1000 crown was dismissed on Tuesday night.
He broke the race lap record three times and crossed the line first at Mount Panorama, only to be hit with a 15 second time penalty for his role in a late incident involving Volvo's Scott McLaughlin and Holden's Garth Tander.
Red Bull Racing have seven days after the verdict to decide whether to take their case to the FIA International Court of Appeal but have indicated they are unlikely to do so.
Skaife believed Whincup would vent his frustration over his failed Bathurst 1000 appeal and dominate this weekend's Gold Coast round.
"His drive at Bathurst was one of the best I have ever seen," five-time Supercars series champion Skaife said.
"It was a once in a generation style drive.
"Clearly he is disappointed not to have had the reward for it.
"I believe he will come out this weekend with all guns blazing - he will be very hard to beat."
Provisional Bathurst victor Will Davison and co-driver Jonathon Webb look set to hold onto the winner's Peter Brock Trophy after RBR indicated they would not pursue their appeal.
"We respect the authority of the court and wish to thank all those who have supported us during this process," an RBR statement said.
"Particularly our fans, our team partners and the respected industry members in the sport who independently voiced their opinions that Jamie raced hard and fair and nothing more.
"With just three events remaining this year, the team is focused on delivering our partners and fans the best possible results for a strong finish to the 2016 season."
Skaife felt for Davison and Webb during the appeal process.
"It's been pretty difficult for Will and Jon to digest until it is ratified," he said.
"For them it has been like winning a grand final and then not knowing if you have, so I have felt for them."
Skaife hoped the appeal would lead to racing rules such as "redressing" being clarified.
Whincup had hoped to prove in his appeal that he had redressed or fallen back behind McLaughlin in order to avoid a penalty after making contact with the Volvo driver while passing on lap 150.
It took just 50 minutes for the Supercars National Court of Appeal in Melbourne to dismiss Whincup's appeal.
"The redress rule works if there is just two cars involved - when there is more there can be issues which we saw at Bathurst," Skaife said.
"The penalty has got to fit the crime. Our sport has work to do."
