It's only March, and most of the world's racing series haven't even started yet. But that hasn't stopped Australian V8 Supercars from throwing down the gauntlet of the most epic battle in racing, with this matchup between a young rookie and an experienced winner keeping you at the edge of your seat.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is what race fans live for.
New Zealand's own Scott McLaughlin was leading five-time champion Jamie Whincup in a fight to the finish of the Clipsal 500 in his Volvo, with Whincup's Holden close behind. Bounding over every curb and bump, Whincup's Holden sat right on the Volvo's rear bumper, never giving up.
At times, mere inches separated the two cars, and it looks as if one quick braking maneuver from McLaughlin would send them both flying off the track in one heap of twisted metal.
Coming down through the final turns, Whincup goes outside. The phrase "using all of the track" is thrown around a lot, but it doesn't do Whincup justice. He uses more than the track, seemingly scraping the wall. The crowd is audible over the 16 bellowing cylinders of the Holden and the Volvo, screaming even louder.
The next turn has Whincup on the inside, and McLaughlin on the long part of the right-hander. They enter the turn, and the young gun does his best to take Whincup, right in the corner, right when he's most defenseless.
Back and forth, Whincup and McLaughlin go, heading into the final turn. Then, right at the last moment –
Oh, hey, I bet you wanted to find out who came out on top, huh?
You'll just have to watch to find out. Formula One wishes they could have this.
Aussie V8 Supercars Battle To The Flag Is Possibly The Year's Best