Supercars great Mark Skaife says Scott McLaughlin's 2017 championship heartbreak is the reason he's become the sport's dominant force.
The DJR Team Penske star was left devastated on the streets of Newcastle after being pipped to the 2017 title by Holden's Jamie Whincup.
Rather than crumble however, McLaughlin bounced back to claim his maiden championship 12 months later.
Since then the New Zealander has been almost unstoppable in the 2019 title, claiming eight race wins from 12 starts this year to head into this weekend's Winton SuperSprint with a 142-point championship lead.
Skaife, who won eight of his first 10 races in 2002 on his way to his fifth and final driver's championship, believes McLaughlin wouldn't be where he is now without the agony of 2017.