New Zealand driver Scott McLaughlin hoisted the Supercars Championship trophy following yesterday's final race of 2019 at the Coates Hire Newcastle 500.
Scott McLaughlin wins the 2019 Australia Supercars Championship. The New Zealand driver hoisted the trophy following yesterday's final race of 2019 at Newcastle 500. Photo: EDGE Photographics
The 26-year old claimed his place in history as a two-time Australia Supercars Champion.
He becomes just the tenth driver to etch his name into the elite group of back-to-back title winners in Australasia's toughest racing category, following a dominant 2019 in which the Shell V-Power Mustang driver recorded 18 Championship race victories, 15 pole positions, and a Bathurst 1000 win.
It was an emotional day for McLaughlin who had plenty of highs and lows in 2019, before he was able to skid across the scenic Newcastle street circuit and celebrate this year's title victory in front of thousands of fans.
The race was won by Jamie Whincup, the 118th of his career with Fabian Coulthard and Tim Slade third.
The result sealed another victory for McLaughlin and his Ford teammate Fabian Coulthard - the coveted 2019 Teams Championship. That means the pair will start from the critical position of front of pit lane in 2020.
The result meant Shane van Gisbergen finished Championship runner up to McLaughlin for the second year in a row, while Whincup was third and Coulthard finished fourth.
Chaz Mostert and David Reynolds were next and finish in front of the Tickford Mustang trio of Cam Waters, Will Davison and Lee Holdsworth while Nick Percat equalled his career-best finish of 10th place.