He may be all but out of contention for the 2021 Supercars championship but Shell V-Power driver Anton De Pasquale may have saved his best for last as the competition enters its penultimate event of the year.
De Pasquale has won five of the last nine races - all at Sydney Motorsport Park - while also nabbing six pole positions ahead of the dual endurance races this weekend.
The 26-year-old's late season peak in form may be the catalyst to a coveted Bathurst title in early December, with his results improving each year he's taken to Mount Panorama.
But before he sets his eyes on the mountain, the title of Sydney Cup champion and $25,000 is still on the line as his team prepares for two more races at a place he's made his own fortress.
"I always enjoy this track, and obviously using the three months off to hone in on what we're going to do and have a good plan and just really roll out a good car (has worked)," he told AAP.
"We've been fortunate to have a few good weeks, we've had some really good results and a really good car. So obviously, try and transfer that into the fourth week (in Sydney) and keep that going before we head up the mountain.
"The championship itself is pretty much as well as locked away for this year, but ... Bathurst itself - everyone wants to win that one - so we'll be going as hard as ever."
De Pasquale sits sixth, only nine points behind Chaz Mostert on the championship standings, but could go as high as fourth before Bathurst if results go his way.
Series leader Shane Van Gisbergen could wrap up both the drivers' championship and Sydney Cup with consistent results in the Sydney SuperNight to seal his second career competition victory.
His duals alongside teammate Jamie Whincup against Shell V-Power have set the Supercars season alight in 2021, with all four drivers from their respective teams looking for consistency before the final event of the year.
But when the curtains fall on another calendar of Supercars, De Pasquale is looking forward to heading back to Melbourne.
"Go back to Melbourne ... have a really good bit of celebration on the year and stuff, and just just catch up (with his parents and sister). It's been a long year," he said.
