Kiwi driver Shane van Gisbergen has survived a late-race scare to take out the inaugural Supercars Eseries on Wednesday night.
Van Gisbergen headed into the final round with a 78-point buffer over compatriot Scott McLaughlin, but held his nerve to win the title over two action-packed races.
After winning the opening 27-lap race at Sydney's Oran Park, van Gisbergen extended his lead to 108 points, needing a fifth place or better finish at Bathurst to secure the silverware.
Van Gisbergen was well on track for a top-five finish, but his title charge nearly ended in disaster, when he made contact with Anton De Pasquale on the penultimate lap, sending the Penrite driver into a spin at Forest's Elbow.
Luckily, no penalty was awarded and van Gisbergen crossed the line in fifth. As it transpired, McLaughlin was also involved in a final-lap accident and finished down the pack.
"I'm a bit pissed at myself there, trying to get to the front," says van Gisbergen. "I was trying to win the race and spun out Anton.
"That sucked, but really cool [to win the title]. I've got to thank the organisers, it's been a great fun series, while we've been parked up."
Van Gisbergen's virtual title adds to his real-life success in 2016, when he became the first Kiwi since Jim Richards in 1991 to win the Supercars championship.
The 31-year-old ended the Eseries with 14 wins and 18 podium finishes across the COVID-19 lockdown, while McLaughlin finished second in the standings with five race wins and 15 podiums
Van Gisbegren will receive a trophy when live racing resumes on June 27 at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Racing was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but will resume behind closed doors, with the season to conclude in early 2021.
Two-time defending champion McLaughlin was top of the standings when the season was halted.
