Kiwi Supercars driver Shane van Gisbergen overcame a horror start to move to claim a vital third place in Saturday's 250km race on the streets of Sydney and secure a maiden Supercars championship.
Van Gisbergen dropped five spots from pole position at the first corner and then got hit with a pit lane penalty for spinning Mark Winterbottom the New Zealander dropped to the rear of the field.
But a smart strategy, fast car and timely safety car intervention allowed the Red Bull Racing driver back into the game and he capitalised on fresher tyres during the closing stages of the race to make some key passing moves to collect enough points to take an unassailable lead in the title race ahead of Sunday's finale.
Teammate and title rival Jamie Whincup eased to victory but van Gisbergen did enough to ensure he becomes the third New Zealander and first since Jim Richards in 1991 to win the championship.
A delighted van Gisbergen admitted he did it the hard way.
"Pretty amazing feeling," he said after the race.
"Sorry to Mark [Winterbottom] - I went up the inside and just didn't commit. It was his right to turn in there and my fault.
"Awesome car and to come through like that - lucky safety car - but good racing. It has been an amazing year."
The Holden Racing Team duo of Garth Tander and James Courtney collected second and fifth respectively in what will be the team's final round with Holden factory backing.
New Zealander Scott McLaughlin finished fourth in his Volvo in his final round with the GRM Team as he jumped Craig Lowndes for third place in the championship. Lowndes was sixth.
The New Zealand team announced they will take a year out of the sport next season.
Sunday's last race of the season will take place over 250km in the final race on the streets of Sydney with the series ending in Newcastle in 2017.
The only championship battle still up for grabs is for third place with McLaughlin holding a narrow nine point lead over Lowndes.
