Last year he labelled it "toxic" but Supercars star Scott McLaughlin believes the coronavirus pandemic has brought the best out of the championship's paddock.
McLaughlin has lauded the sacrifice of the championship's five Victorian teams that have packed up and left the COVID-19 affected state last week to ensure this weekend's Sydney SuperSprint event can proceed
Tickford Racing, Walkinshaw Andretti United, Team 18, Kelly Racing and Erebus Motorsport are all facing weeks on the road - a commitment that two-time champion McLaughlin applauded and is thankful for.
After getting increasingly frustrated with rival teams accusing his dominant DJR Team Penske outfit of bending the rules to achieve their success in 2019, McLaughlin said it's been refreshing to have a united approach to keeping the championship racing during the crisis.
"To just up and leave like that with no questions asked is very impressive and we do have a lot to thank the Victorian teams for," he said.
"Not saying that we're going to go any easier on them at the track and the rivalries are going to be less but... this period has brought the whole category closer and I truly believe that.
"It's certainly been a really good thing for the category, especially with all the stuff last year."
This weekend's event will be the second in a row at Sydney Motorsport Park, after the Winton event was postponed due to Victoria's coronavirus outbreak.
McLaughlin will head into the event with a 49-point championship lead over Holden's Jamie Whincup.
New Zealander McLaughlin won two of the three races at last month's Sydney SuperSprint event, which was the first held since the championship was suspended in March.
The next round of the series will feature a 32-lap night race on Saturday before two 32-lap races on Sunday.
McLaughlin said he is full of confidence after his success at Sydney Motorsport Park last month.
"From my point of view I can roll out with basically the same car and and know that we've got a pretty good, solid set up," he said.
"We can now expand ourselves and not go searching for a little things.
"So yeah, I feel really good."
Australian Associated Press
