Scott McLaughlin claims Supercars title as David Reynolds wins Newcastle finale

Contributor
James Pavey
Scott McLaughlin claims Supercars title as David Reynolds wins Newcastle finale image

With a second placing in Newcastle, Scott McLaughlin claimed his maiden Supercars championship crown.

McLaughlin ceded the lead late in Race 31 to David Reynolds, who went on to win the final race of the season on the streets of Newcastle.

However, with title rival Shane van Gisbergen finishing fourth, McLaughlin retained his overnight championship lead, holding on to claim his first title.

McLaughlin's championship marks the perfect send-off for the Ford Falcon, with the iconic nameplate to be replaced by the Mustang in Supercars competition in 2019.

Sunday's race began with the top four holding station until lap 20, when Jamie Whincup and Fabian Coulthard tangled at the back of the circuit.

Coulthard hit the wall, and with his rear wing coming loose, the safety car was called to retrieve the debris. However, Whincup avoided a penalty.


The leaders jumped into the pits, and McLaughlin emerged in the effective lead.

McLaughlin led through a relatively tame middle stint of the race, and in extending his lead, he covered off the fuel difference versus Reynolds.

Meanwhile, van Gisbergen toiled through a race-long battle with James Courtney, but the second round of stops saw the Red Bull Holden driver emerge in fourth.

However, there were fears van Gisbergen would be pulled into the pits after both front guards came loose - but despite the issue, the #97 avoided a mechanical black flag.


Reynolds closed to the leader, lap by lap, and with the end in sight and with risk at an all-time high, McLaughlin was ordered to let Reynolds by.


While Reynolds held on to win by over four seconds, McLaughlin crossed the line to seal his first championship and the Falcon’s 17th and last.


25-year-old McLaughlin became the 25th driver to win an ATCC/Supercars championship.

“Oh my god… all the guys, everyone here, worked so hard,” McLaughlin said after the race.

“Look, I have to pay respects to Shane, we raced hard all year. It was a hell of a battle... oh man.

“Thirty [laps] to go, I was like ‘This could be on’ and it was the longest 30 laps of my life.

“Thank you to my mum and dad... my gran, I know you’re watching up there because I promised you I’d do this... Karly, my fiancé for sticking by me through the whole thing.

"All these guys, Shell V-Power Racing... I’m just absolutely amazed."


Humble in defeat, having fallen short of a second career Supercars title, van Gisbergen paid tribute to his countryman, despite his lingering frustration over the pitlane penalty that cruelled his Saturday.

"We did everything we could. Congrats to them, they’ve been worthy competitors and worthy champions," van Gisbergen said.

"I’ve enjoyed the fight and am still proud, but it’s a tough one.

"I’m still happy, it’s still cool, I just feel a bit gutted that the series did what they did. It’s just inconsistent, it’s average.

"I would have loved to have fought on equal points and had a bit more motivation, but we were pretty dejected today with all that."

Retiring hero Craig Lowndes, meanwhile, completed his full-time Supercars career with an 11th-placed finish.

SUPERCARS: NEWCASTLE 500

RACE 31 RESULTS

Position Driver Car Margin
1stDavid ReynoldsHolden 
2ndScott McLaughlinFord+4.681
3rdJamie WhincupHolden+17.159
4thShane van GisbergenHolden+42.839
5thJames CourtneyHolden+44.386
6thAndre HeimgartnerNissan+45.209
7thChaz MostertFord+45.424
8thGarth TanderHolden+46.704
9thLee HoldsworthHolden+47.170
10thScott PyeHolden+48.503
11thCraig LowndesHolden+49.893
12thNick PercatHolden+56.535
13thMark WinterbottomFord+1:08.238
14thCameron WatersFord+1 LAP
15thTim SladeHolden+1 LAP
16thAnton De PasqualeHolden+1 LAP
17thRick KellyNissan+1 LAP
18thJack Le BrocqHolden+1 LAP
19thMichael CarusoNissan+1 LAP
20thWill DavisonFord+1 LAP
21stTodd HazelwoodHolden+1 LAP
22ndTim BlanchardHolden+1 LAP
23rdRichie StanawayFord+1 LAP
24thSimona De SilvestroNissan+1 LAP
25thJames GoldingHolden+8 LAPS
26thFabian CoulthardFord+20 LAPS


SUPERCARS: CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Position Driver Car Points/Margin
1stScott McLaughlinFord3944
2ndShane van GisbergenHolden-71
3rdJamie WhincupHolden-511
4thCraig LowndesHolden-719
5thDavid ReynoldsHolden-738