"We only got it by a little margin. I was pushing so hard at the end there, but that didn't stop me doing a mad burnout at the end. I was so happy."
It marked a remarkable comeback for McLaughlin, who failed to finish either of Saturday's two 100km sprints with mechanical issues - both of which he started on the front row grid. He also set a practice lap record on Friday.
Holden's defending champion Jamie Whincup retained his lead atop the overall standings, finishing fifth despite struggling to see out his windscreen for most of the race after it was covered in oil from James Courtney's Commodore.
The leak marked a disappointing end to the race for Courtney, who got the jump on his rivals at the start to take the early lead.
"It's a shame - it's probably one that got away," he said. "My home race, out west, so sorry to all the fans."
David Reynolds and Scott Pye also had their afternoons cut short, an opening-lap bump sending both heavily into a concrete barrier and back into the pits early.
Leading Ford driver Mark Winterbottom was blamed for causing the incident and was immediately handed a drive-through penalty.
The championship next heads to Sandown for the start of the endurance series next month.
Standings
1 Jamie Whincup 2025
2 Mark Winterbottom 1890
3 Craig Lowndes 1812
4 Shane van Gisbergen 1778
5 Fabian Coulthard 1712
6 James Courtney 1688
7 Chaz Mostert 1502
8 Scott McLaughlin 149
- AAP
