He celebrated with a spectacular burnout after first grabbing the chequered flag and cruising down the main straight at Homebush.
One of the first things he did after removing his helmet on Saturday was to make his way over to parents Robert and Karen, and give them an emotional hug.
Van Gisbergen was at pains to let everyone know there were two teams that helped and supported him on his way to his first championship title - his parents for their sacrifices and support over the years, and his race team for giving him the right tools to do the job.
"It was always the dream to win a V8 championship," said van Gisbergen. "I grew up watching V8s at Pukekohe, which seems a while ago now.
"It's still sinking in, but I know I've grown as driver the last three years and have a lot more experience now.
"You go through a lot of stuff in life and I now feel a lot more comfortable with everything. The last two teams I've been with, and all the overseas experience, has made me better and that's the reason we got there [winning the title].
"The family for me is No1. Mum and dad did so much for me growing up to allow me to go racing. For them to be here and to see them so soon after the race is pretty special.
"You could see how much it meant for them and it's so cool that they have been along for the ride. It's not just me out there, it's the family and the race team."
Winning the championship has been a long road for Robert and Karen van Gisbergen, who have provided unwavering support. They believed in their son and are just as pleased for him as everyone else.
"I feel really proud as a parent that Shane has won a Supercars championship. He has worked really hard for it, but there is one regret I have - his sister Lauren wasn't here to see him do it," said Robert van Gisbergen.
"As well as being father and son, we're also mates and hope to be always. That's why at the start of that race on Saturday, my heart was through the roof.
"When the [pit lane] penalty [which dropped him back to 18th] came, people were telling me that a least he has Sunday's race.
"That's not the way he works and he wasn't going to give up. He likes a chase and, holy moly, when he finished third, I just thought 'that's my son'!"
Karen van Gisbergen is proud of her son no matter what, and was quietly chuffed to see him wrap up the title with a day to spare.
"It's a wonderful feeling and I'm very proud. It's great for New Zealand motorsport to have a Kiwi come and win the championship after so long. It's an excellent result and I'm very happy.
"He has come up through the ranks and done it properly and that's the main thing. Time certainly has flown by and this year, he has stepped up to another level," she said.
Fans of the category, and van Gisbergen in particular, can rest assured the Kiwi has no intention of following Formula One champion Nico Rosberg and packing his helmet away after winning a title. With a number of championships in various categories already under his belt, winning the big one is only going to spur him on.
"Don't worry, I'll be doing this [Supercars] for a lot longer yet. I can't imagine what it is like for the guys who have won multiple championships.
"Winning this one is an amazing feeling and I want to experience it a few more times again. I'll be pushing as hard as I can to do it again next year," he said.
