Supercars: Demons of 2017 in Scott McLaughlin's rearview mirror

Kiwi Supercars driver Scott McLaughlin is ready to put the demons of 2017 behind him at this weekend's championship-deciding round in Newcastle.

The Shell V-Power driver holds a narrow 14-point lead over compatriot Shane van Gisbergen, the smallest margin ever, heading into the final weekend.

"I'm pretty excited, to be honest," McLaughlin said. "I just want to get on with it." 

Currently leading the standings, McLaughlin is in the driver's seat to win his maiden title, but he's been here before.

The 25-year-old let the championship slip through his fingers in Sunday's season finale last year, penalised three times and relinquishing a 78-point lead to hand Jamie Whincup his seventh title.

He's had a year to reflect and is keen to put those bad memories in the rearview mirror.

"I've looked at a lot of footage and a lot of in-car footage from the Sunday race, because I made a lot of passes there.

"But yeah, the race itself, I haven't watched it on the TV coverage."

McLaughlin isn't one to tempt fate. He's steered clear of the Supercars trophy at all costs, a little superstition he learned from one of New Zealand's premier rugby players.

"I don't touch any of the trophies that I haven't won - it's just a superstition thing."

"Richie McCaw used to do it with the Rugby World Cup, until he won it. He touched it after that, so, yeah, he went pretty well after that."

The two Kiwis have been tit-for-tat the entire season, McLaughlin recording eight wins and Van Gisbergen right behind him with seven.

"It's great for the championship to come down [to this]," McLaughlin said.

"Not great for our nerves, but I've just tried to be the same and what will be will be."

What will be is a Kiwi Supercars champion - just who that is will be decided on Sunday.

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Join us at 2pm Saturday and Sunday for live updates of the final Supercars round in Newcastle.