CRAIG Lowndes knows his team-mate Jamie Whincup has plenty of stories about the one the that got away when it comes to the Bathurst 1000, but he also knows he will give everything to win the 161-lap epic.
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That's why he's so excited to be co-driving Whincup's Red Bull Racing Commodore at Mount Panorama.
It is the sixth time Lowndes and Whincup have shared a seat in Supercars' endurance epic and second year in succession.
They won it together three years in a row between 2006-08 when full-time drivers were permitted to pair up for enduros, while last year when the duo reunited for another Bathurst tilt they ran fourth.
"I think he talks more about the ones that have got away than the ones he's actually won and I suppose you create your own luck in some way," Lowndes said.
"Last year we were obviously in a good position leading the race, but the team decision to run hard and fast didn't quite work out.
"If you analyse the ones that have slipped through his fingers there has been a bit of bad luck, but it has also been a little bit his own fault in some ways. I think the beauty about Jamie is he always gives 110 percent.
"It doesn't matter where he is at or what he does, he'll just keep pushing hard until he's at the end."
This year will mark Lowndes' second Bathurst since he retired as a full-time driver. He admits it was a very different feeling watching Whincup finish last year's race instead of doing the final laps himself.
"We've come full circle. I remember when Jamie first came along and he was the co-driver and he slotted in very well and now it's my turn. I am at the other end of the scale now and it's my turn to support him," he said.
"It still is nerve-racking standing in the garage watching him close out the race. You'd love to be behind the wheel because when you're behind the wheel you actually know what is going on, you get to feel where the car is at.
"When you're in a garage you have no idea and are relying on his radio coms to see if he is a calm Jamie or a stressed Jamie or a panicky Jamie."
Lowndes hopes that this year come those final laps it will be the calm Whincup he sees. The duo rank as one of the main contenders, but favouritism does not ensure success.
"Everyone goes there with one goal and that's to win," Lowndes said.
Lowndes did have his issues in the second practice session after a power steering failure caused a fire and saw smoke billowing out from the #888 Holden.
"As I was coming down Conrod I could start smelling a bit of oil, but I couldn't see any smoke and there was nothing in the cabin," he said.
"So I didn't know if it was the car in front of me that was oiling, I didn't realise it was us until I got the call to come in. It's a bit of a shame."
