Mark Skaife admitted it had been an emotional weekend after the Holden Racing Team driver brought the curtain down on his V8 Supercar Championship career at Oran Park.

Skaife, the most successful driver in series history, was unable to finish the first two races of the weekend, but stormed through the field from 26th on the grid to take the flag in twelfth place in his final race in the series.

“I was having a ball,” he said. “Jamie Whincup was behind me and we were having a great battle with a lot of the guys in the middle of the field. It was really good.

“Nothing's better, and I'm sure I speak for all of the guys here, there's nothing better than being in a race car and doing what we do… just going and driving the car as hard as you can, there's nothing better than that.”

Skaife was also involved in a battle with his old mate and nemesis Russell Ingall during the race which he admitted he had enjoyed.

“I would have given my right arm to push up inside of Russell and spin him around,” Skaife said. “I wouldn't have speared him off though, I'm not Russell.”

Skaife kept his emotions in check during a tribute to his career but admitted he choked up on the grid prior to his final race.

“The parade lap wasn't too bad,” he said. “I was probably more emotional on the grid. It takes a whole career to even have Ford fans waving at you.

“Then (wife) Toni and my son Mitch came out on the grid. I almost needed wipers on the inside of my helmet when I saw them.”