Both a Bathurst Champion in 2013 and Supercars Champion in 2015, the driver best known as Frosty returns to the Mount in 2020 looking to end the year on a high with Irwin Racing and Team 18.

Having had a successful season alongside new teammate Scott Pye that includes three top-fives and ninth in the standings coming into Bathurst, Winterbottom says that to finish off the year at Mount Panorama is both exciting and a little different.

"The Bathurst 1000 is always the most exciting race of the year, it's why we go racing," Winterbottom said.

"It comes with a different feel this year given it's our grand finale, when normally we would head there with a few races remaining in the championship.

"If we can finish off the year with a great result at the mountain it will be fantastic for everyone at IRWIN Racing and Team 18."

After finishing in sixth place alongside long-time co-driver and five-time Bathurst champion Steven Richards in 2019, Winterbottom is now partnered with new co-pilot James Golding.

Having spent the last few seasons as part of the Garry Rogers Motorsport outfit, Golding comes off some impressive finishes at Mount Panorama, including an eighth and an 11^th alongside Richard Muscat.

This trip to Bathurst for Winterbottom will be his 17^th attempt at Bathurst glory and he has become one of the most experienced drivers in The Great Race.

Ever since his debut in 2003 with Stone Brothers Racing, Winterbottom has been a part of some pretty spectacular moments on the famed circuit.

Winterbottom claimed pole position in 2007 and was the favourite for the victory having led for a significant amount, until rain at the end of the race spoiled his and Steven Richards' day.

In 2009, Winterbottom's car caught fire while in 2010 after again starting from pole position, hit the wall at The Cutting, eventually finishing in ninth position.

Aside from these lows, Winterbottom won in 2013 after a spectacular battle with Jamie Whincup on the final lap and finished in second place in 2015.

Winterbottom said that Bathurst can offer up all sorts of challenges and that after the year he has had with Team 18 in 2020, it would be awesome to lift the trophy come Sunday afternoon.

"It's a track that can be rewarding and cruel for you, I won the race in 2013 and stood on the podium in 2015, but I've lead the race and had the car catch fire and all sorts of things happen there," Winterbottom said.

"I feel like I know what it takes to win and to win it with IRWN Racing and Team 18 would be incredibly special."

Team 18 will field two-cars for the first time in the Bathurst 1000 with Scott Pye and Dean Fiore driving the #20 DeWalt Racing Commodore.

Pye has finished twice on Bathurst's podium - a second place in 2017 and 2018.

The 2020 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will begin on Thursday and finish with the Great Race on Sunday, October 18.