Teenage tyro Broc Feeney has won the race to replace retiring Supercars great Jamie Whincup.
The 18-year-old Feeney was unveiled on the Gold Coast on Tuesday as the driver who will fill Whincup's coveted seat at Red Bull Ampol Racing in 2022.
It caps a meteoric three-year rise from go-karts to main game racing for Feeney, whose only Supercars start was last year's Bathurst 1000 on his 18th birthday alongside James Courtney.
Feeney finished 10th in that race and has dominated this year's Super2 development series for Triple Eight, winning four of the six races to lead the championship in what was effectively a trial to secure his position as Whincup's replacement.
"There's no doubt on earth that next year is going to be one hell of a challenge and so is the future but I I love challenges and I'm looking forward to it," Feeney said.
"I've got the best guys in pit lane and I've got the best team behind me as well ... it's a perfect opportunity for myself to broaden my skills and be surrounded by the best environment."
Whincup, a seven-time champion with the most race wins in Supercars history, is retiring from full-time racing at season's end to take over as team principal for Triple Eight Race Engineering, who own the Red Bull team.
He said no one had shown more eagerness to be his replacement than Feeney, drawing the similarities to the appointment to his unveiling as an untested youngster at Triple Eight in 2006 alongside Craig Lowndes.
"Broc's done absolutely everything you can in the last six months to get in this position and he's 100 per cent earned his position to drive this car next year," Whincup said.
"His whole life is just about trying to drive his race car fast. I don't think he has got any pressure on him.
"If anything, I'm feeling the pressure more than anyone because we've got to make sure we provide him the best car in pit lane and I've got to make sure I provide him an environment where he can thrive."
Before beginning his new career at Red Bull, Feeney will partner veteran Russell Ingall in a wildcard entry for this year's Bathurst 1000 if that race can be held amid NSW's ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
