Jamie Whincup has scored his seventh Supercars title at the inaugural Newcastle 500.
The stage was set for Scott McLaughlin to take out a win today but after a trio of penalties throughout the 250km race he came undone.
The final lap was almost absolute carnage with McLaughlin squeezing Craig Lowndes into Turn 2 in a battle for 11th position. Needing 11th place to win the Championship, McLaughlin held the place but was then handed a penalty for reckless driving and ended up finishing in 18th.
Whincup took the win with 21 points ahead of McLaughlin in the Championship.
"I crossed the line and I thought I was second and I asked the guys and girls 'what's going on? Fill me in!' And then I just heard screaming down the radio so I though alright this is looking good!"
"Unbelievable."
"In any sport you never say die. It's not over until the far lady sings as they say so we knew we had a chance but your gut feel says it's a long shot. I was pretty gutted last night thinking how unlucky, what did we do to deserve yesterday. But clearly that got turned around today."
Shane van Gisbergen crossed the line in third followed by David Reynolds.
Drivers kept the pace all race with only two safety cars needed in this afternoon's race; one for James Courtney after crashing into a wall and another for debris on the track.
Whincup has no doubt this race was one of the toughest of the year.
"It's been an unbelievable battle with some unbelievably good competition and for it to come down to the last lap, the dying moments, the last ten seconds of the year, this one is right up there," said Whincup.
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| 2017 Supercars Champion Jamie Whincup. Image Robert Rouse |
