Scott McLaughlin, Alexandre Premat and DJR Team Penske have won the 2019 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 after the drama-filled race finished with a one-lap dash.

 

It was a frantic end to the great race, with McLaughlin holding off second-placed Shane van Gisbergen and co-driver Garth Tander in the final stages after two safety cars were deployed within the final 10 laps - including one with just three laps to go.

 

Following the final restart, a calm and collected McLaughlin put in a sensational lap to get to the finish line first with van Gisbergen breathing down his neck for the whole last lap.

 

It’s the first time both McLaughlin and Premat have won Australia’s biggest race and the first time in 25 years DJR Team Penske has had a driver on the top step.

 

“I can’t believe I won the Bathurst 1000,” McLaughlin said post-race.

 

“We had such a good car all week, I put so much pressure on myself to make this a good one. I have dreamt about standing on the roof of the car, I just can’t believe it.”

 

Despite not being able to get ahead of McLaughlin on the last lap, it was a remarkable performance from van Gisbergen and Tander to secure second place, while James Courtney and Jack Perkins finished on the final step of the podium.

 

It was an unfortunate ending for Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes, with Whincup leading the race up until the second last safety car where he had to pit – only to return in fourth place where he stayed for the rest of the race.

 

Rounding out the top five were David Reynolds and Luke Youlden after the duo pulled off an outstanding performance to redeem themselves from a disappointing qualifying on Friday to climb from 22nd and finish fifth.

 

The Virgin Australia Supercars Championship now heads up to the north for the Gold Coast 600 on 25-27 October.