BATHURST, Australia – Scott McLaughlin finally got to celebrate a victory in the Bathurst 1000 on Sunday as he and co-driver Alex Premat captured the 63rd running of the event at the Mount Panorama Circuit.
McLaughlin finished the race in the No. 17 DJR Team Penske Ford Mustang GT, but had to survive a one-lap dash to the checkered flag after the caution flag waved with three laps remaining.
Second-place Shane van Gisbergen gave it his best shot, but McLaughlin held serve to capture the victory for himself, Premat and the DJR Team Penske squad. It was the first Bathurst win for the DJR team since 1994.
“I can’t believe I won the bloody Bathurst 1000,” said McLaughlin.
Van Gisbergen and co-driver Garth Tander were second for the Red Bull Holden squad. James Courtney and Jack Perkins finished third to complete the podium.
Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes were fourth, with David Reynolds and Luke Youlden finishing fifth.
NTT IndyCar Series competitors Alexander Rossi and James Hinchcliffe, making their debut at Mount Panorama, came home 19th in the 26-car field.