But Kostecki has a golden opportunity to claim one of the most unexpected title wins in Supercars championship history after never having won a race before this season.

In 2023, the West Australian has won six races and claimed six poles.

"It was just a dream a few years ago for myself to be in this sort of place I’m in today," Kostecki said in Bathurst on Wednesday.

"Really proud of the team around me and incredibly proud of myself as well.

"I think we’ve got a lot of weight on our shoulders. Erebus has never been in this sort of situation before, but we seem to have really hit our stride in the last few weeks so very excited about coming here."

Kostecki's Coca Cola Racing teammate Will Brown sits fourth in the title race after winning four races this season, but his form has slipped after starting 2023 in blistering fashion.

Brown will fill the seat to be vacated at Red Bull Ampol by van Gisbergen when he leaves to race in NASCAR next year.

Admitting to the enormity of the position he is in, Kostecki is trying to focus on winning his first Bathurst 1000 after a career-best third in 2021.

"Results are what get you championships, I’m just going to try to win as many races as I can and this is one of the biggest races in the world so it’s on my bucket list to win," he said.

"It’s a pretty daunting place so a bit of risk v reward around here.

"I really like these type of circuits with walls on either side so hopefully it doesn’t bite me this weekend."

The first Bathurst 1000 with Gen3 cars, and no Commodores in the field, will officially get underway with two practice sessions on Thursday.

Camaros make up the top-five in the championship standings, with Shell V-Power's Anton de Pasquale the best-placed Ford driver in sixth.

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