Supercars driver David Reynolds wins the Coates Hire Newcastle 500, however it is Scott McLaughlin who takes the 2018 Supercars champion after finishing second to David Reynolds in the year’s final race in Newcastle, with chief rival Shane van Gisbergen only fourth.
The Shell V-Power Racing driver effectively led the race from lap 21 of the 95, when he moved ahead Reynolds during the first round of pitstops.
From there, McLaughlin controlled proceedings and looked set to secure his maiden title with a ninth victory of the season.
With five laps remaining, though, a conservative McLaughlin opted to let Reynolds through rather than fight the Penrite Erebus driver for the win.
Coates Hire Newcastle 500 Results
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP
SUNDAY
RACE 31
- Session Type: Race
- Date: Sun 25 Nov 2018
- Start: 15:40
- Finish: 17:45
- Laps: 95 laps
| Position / Driver / Team | Started | Laps | Race Time | Points |
| 1 Erebus Penrite Racing – Holden Commodore ZB | 1 0 | 95 | 01:57:05.1149 | 150 |
| 2 Shell V-Power Racing Team – Ford Falcon FG/X | 2 0 | 95 | 01:57:09.7956 | 138 |
| 3 Red Bull Holden Racing Team – Holden Commodore ZB | 7 4 | 95 | 01:57:22.2737 | 129 |
| 4 Red Bull Holden Racing Team – Holden Commodore ZB | 3 1 | 95 | 01:57:47.9539 | 120 |
| 5 Mobil 1 Boost Mobile Racing -Holden Commodore ZB | 6 1 | 95 | 01:57:49.5006 | 111 |
| 6 Plus Fitness Racing – Nissan Altima | 9 3 | 95 | 01:57:50.3244 | 102 |
| 7 Supercheap Auto Racing – Ford Falcon FG/X | 14 7 | 95 | 01:57:50.5393 | 96 |
| 8 Wilson Security Racing GRM – Holden Commodore ZB | 4 4 | 95 | 01:57:51.8188 | 90 |
| 9 Preston Hire Racing – Holden Commodore ZB | 5 4 | 95 | 01:57:52.2848 | 84 |
| 10 Mobil 1 Boost Mobile Racing -Holden Commodore ZB | 23 13 | 95 | 01:57:53.6181 | 78 |
| 11 Autobarn Lowndes Racing -Holden Commodore ZB | 12 1 | 95 | 01:57:55.0081 | 72 |
| 12 Timken Racing -Holden Commodore ZB | 13 1 | 95 | 01:58:01.6496 | 69 |
| 13 The Bottle-O Racing Team – Ford Falcon FG/X | 18 5 | 95 | 01:58:13.3533 | 66 |
| 14 #100 – Monster Energy Racing – Ford Falcon FG/X | 11 3 | 94 | 01:57:06.4520 | 63 |
| 15 Freightliner Racing – Holden Commodore ZB | 8 7 | 94 | 01:57:06.7564 | 60 |
| 16 Erebus Penrite Racing – Holden Commodore ZB | 15 1 | 94 | 01:57:07.0174 | 57 |
| 17 Castrol Racing- Nissan Altima | 16 1 | 94 | 01:57:10.8688 | 54 |
| 18 Tekno Autosport – Holden Commodore ZB | 20 2 | 94 | 01:57:11.2217 | 51 |
| 19 Drive Racing -Nissan Altima | 24 5 | 94 | 01:57:11.5592 | 48 |
| 20 Milwaukee Racing – Ford Falcon FG/X | 17 3 | 94 | 01:57:17.5598 | 45 |
| 21 Bigmate Racing- Holden Commodore VF2 | 25 4 | 94 | 01:57:36.1814 | 42 |
| 22 Team CoolDrive- Holden Commodore ZB | 19 3 | 94 | 01:57:49.0883 | 39 |
| 23 RABBLE.club Racing – Ford Falcon FG/X | 26 3 | 94 | 01:57:56.0475 | 36 |
| 24 Team Harvey Norman – Nissan Altima | 22 2 | 94 | 01:57:56.1026 | 33 |
