Red Bull Racing Holden drivers Jamie Whincup and Paul Dumbrell have won the Sunday race at the Gold Coast 600 after surviving a late change from Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen.
Van Gisbergen, the championship leader, had to double stack early in the race and dropped down the order but roared back with a superb drive to be catching his championship rival in the dying stages.
But a warning from race control for over-use of curbs saw the 27-year-old Kiwi risk a drive through penalty if he infringed once more. With a healthy championship lead (148 points) and the Pirtek Endurance Cup safely under control van Gisbergen backed it off and settled for second place and another big haul of valuable points with just two rounds remaining.
"Pretty cool - we did that the hard way again," van Gisbergen said.
"A great weekend - a first and a second and the Pirtek Endurance Cup as well."
Fellow Kiwi Scott McLaughlin also charged through the field to finish third, which solidifies his fourth place in the championship standings in his final year with Volvo.
Earlier Super Black Racing Ford driver Richie Stanaway made a mistake trying to pass Jack Perkins and put his car into the wall, ending the race. It was a disappointing finish to a very impressive endurance season for the young New Zealander, who partnered championship regular Chris Pither.
The series moves to Pukekohe Park Raceway for the ITM Auckland SuperSprint in a fortnight.