New Zealand driver Scott McLaughlin has won the 2018 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship on a dramatic weekend in Newcastle.

In the final two races of the year, last lap theatrics, penalty controversy, emotional farewells a surprise victory all combined to make it one of the best race weekends of the year. 

McLaughlin was understandably thrilled with his debut title.

"Everyone here so hard," McLaughlin said post-race.

"We have to pay respect to Shane (van Gisbergen), we raced so hard all year and it’s been a hell of a battle.

"With 30 to go I thought ‘this could be on’ and it was the longest 30 laps of my life.

"Holy smokes, I just can’t believe we’ve done it. Holy guacamole."

In Saturday’s opening race, van Gisbergen claimed victory over the Ford Falcon FG X pilot, after passing him with just two turns remaining on the final lap as McLaughlin’s fuel tank was bordering on empty.

But the result changed overnight, with the Red Bull Holden Racing Team driver receiving a 25-second penalty for a pit-stop error that saw the fuel hose still connected while the car was lowered to the ground. The penalty dropped van Gisbergen down the order, meaning he would start Sunday 53 points behind McLaughlin.

With van Gisbergen needing a win and other results to fall his way, McLaughlin was on-song during the final race, overtaking David Reynolds for spot on lap 21.

From there on, McLaughlin effectively led the field for the whole race as van Gisbergen struggled to clear the field. As the end of the race drew near, McLaughlin decided not to fight for the race win, allowing Reynolds to pass in the closing stages and claim the race win.

"I had a mega, mega car out there,” Reynolds said.

"I got a really good start and stint, my second stint wasn’t the best, Scott got away from us and we had a bit of fuel time on him to lose.

"The car got better and better, I could see him starting to slide and thought ‘if he’s smart, he’ll let me go’ and then he did.

"But I was lining up for a crack regardless, I’m here to win. He won the championship anyway, he’s done a great job all year and it couldn’t have gone to a better driver."

Jamie Whincup eventually rounded out the final race’s podium as teammate van Gisbergen finished fourth for the race.

Despite missing out on the title, van Gisbergen remained upbeat about a positive year.

"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. That race, I just got stuck behind James (Courtney) and couldn’t do anything to get up there.”

The day was also special for the retiring Craig Lowndes – the Triple 888 driver getting an emotional after two decades in the sport.

In the Team Championship, Red Bull Holden Racing Team had a comfortable victory over Shell V-Power Racing Team, while The Bottle-O Racing Team and Supercheap Auto Racing secured third.

Dunlop Super2 Series  went to another New Zealander, as Chris Pither took out the series win ahead of Paul Dumbrell and Garry Jacobson. 

With the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship now wrapping up for the year, the 2019 season will kick off with the Adelaide 500 on 2-3 March, before heading to Melbourne for the Formula One Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019 on 14-17 March.