Lowndes in van Gisbergen's sights at AGP

Shane van Gisbergen keeps resetting the history books — and it could continue at the Beaurepaires Melbourne SuperSprint.

Van Gisbergen’s Race 2 victory at the Thrifty Newcastle 500 was the 76th of his career, and his 167th podium.

Only two drivers have scored more podiums — former teammates Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes.

The Albert Park round is headlined by four sprint races, and all offer official podium results for the top three drivers.

Van Gisbergen is within striking distance of Lowndes’ haul of 169 podiums, with Whincup well up the road.

From 2009 onwards, podiums have been recognised as the top three finishers in each race.

Podium finishers from 1960 to 2008 were the top three finishers for the round overall and not in individual races.

Lowndes has 169 podiums, but has a whopping 265 top three finishes. Whincup is just ahead of 267 top three finishes.

Van Gisbergen’s very first top three race finish came in Race 2 at the 2008 Sandown sprint round.

He had to wait until the Abu Dhabi 2010 season opener to hold his first Supercars trophy, and until Hamilton 2011 to score his first win.

His haul of 76 wins and 167 podiums could expand yet before cars roll out in Melbourne, given Triple Eight is appealing its Newcastle disqualifications.

Van Gisbergen and Broc Feeney finished first and second in Race 1, but were excluded due to a technical breach.

Should Triple Eight prove successful in its appeal — which will be held on March 22 — van Gisbergen will edge even closer to Lowndes.

Once ahead of Lowndes’ tally, the next benchmark is Mark Skaife’s 90 career wins, with Lowndes (110) and Whincup (124) ahead.

Can van Gisbergen further his standing as one of the all-time greats at Albert Park? Find out when the 2023 season resumes on March 30-April 2.

Most podium finishes

237: Jamie Whincup169: Craig Lowndes167: Shane van Gisbergen117: Mark Winterbottom106: Scott McLaughlin100: Peter Brock, Garth Tander88: Mark Skaife83: Chaz Mostert78: Will Davison