Van Gisbergen stripped of win in massive title blow

Shane van Gisbergen has been dealt a massive blow in his Supercars title pursuit after he was stripped of the win in Saturday’s Coates Hire Newcastle 500.

Officials hit van Gisbergen with a 25-second penalty for an alleged pit-stop breach during his dramatic win in Saturday’s opening 250km race.

Stewards confirmed the penalty on Sunday morning following an investigation into the third pitstop breach.

Supercars confirmed the deputy race director’s probe into the incident “determined a breach of the rules has been established” with a penalty recommended.

Van Gisbergen remarkably reeled in McLaughlin on the 95th and final lap to clinch a victory that had originally cut his Ford rival’s series lead to just two points with one race left in the season – Sunday’s 95-lap finale.

However, van Gisbergen’s Holden was lowered to the ground with the refuelling hose still attached during his final pit-stop on Saturday.

Van Gisbergen’s penalty sees McLaughlin extend his lead in the championship standings, after the Kiwi dropped from race winer to fifth.

McLaughlin’s series lead over van Gisbergen has now been extended to 53 points going into Sunday’s 95-lap race that will decide the 2018 champion.

If van Gisbergen wins Sunday’s 250km race, McLaughlin now needs only to finish sixth to claim his maiden Supercars title.

With AAP