‘Everyone in New Zealand, this is for you’
final race. ‘‘I’m just looking forward to getting through this,’’ he said. ‘‘To get my name on the Larry Perkins award, next to this legend (pointing at Whincup) is pretty cool.’’
The pole sitter was overtaken from the line by McLaughlin and Whincup before he got past the Triple Eight veteran with the superior pace of his Mustang.
Cam Waters and Will Davison finished fourth and fifth, meaning four of the top five drivers were steering Fords.
Macauley Jones’ high-speed meeting with the wall brought out the safety car and shortened the final race.
Shane van Gisbergen and Fabian Coulthard duelled at the DJR Team Penske man’s expense, with the Holden ace locking up unfortunately to send Coulthard off the track.
It didn’t end well for the two New Zealanders. Coulthard finished 15th while 2016 series champion van Gisbergen slumped to 22nd after a weekend of woe.
Van Gisbergen arrived second in the championship but recorded a retirement, 10th and was 22nd twice to slump out of the series’ top 10.
His last-race lock-up that sent Coulthard off the circuit will also be investigated by stewards.
McLaughlin dedicated his race win to his team after a bizarre warm-up lap crash with Waters robbed him of the chance to participate in the third race of the meet.
‘‘That was for yesterday. Sorry,’’ he said contritely over the team radio.
McLaughlin has won every race he’s lined up in and leads the championship standings despite the DNS result on Saturday.
‘‘I don’t count yesterday’s race so let’s go five from five [wins],’’ he said.
‘‘I feel like I’m nailing those starts. It’s making me feel really good.’’