Ford superstar Scott McLaughlin has become the fourth Supercars driver to clinch at least three straight titles.
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The Shell V-Power ace couldn't complete a round triple-treat, finishing second behind Tickford's Cameron Waters in the final race at Tailem Bend on Sunday, but it was enough to wrap up another title.
McLaughlin enters illustrious territory in the 60-year history of Australian touring car racing, joining Ian Geoghegan (1966-69), Mark Skaife (2000-2002) and Jamie Whincup (2011-14) to have completed a three-peat.
The only driver who could have upset McLaughlin's run to the title - seven-time champion Whincup - finished the race in third.
The result saw McLaughlin's championship lead over Whincup swell to 305 points.
The New Zealander finishes the second-straight round at the South Australian circuit at least 300 points in front, meaning it will be impossible for Whincup to snatch the title from him at the Bathurst 1000 season finale.
"It feels weird not being able to celebrate with the fans like normal, but we've got the big one we can fully focus on now at Bathurst and have a massive crack at it," McLaughlin said.
"It's been an awesome battle with Jamie throughout the whole year.
"There's not as much pressure on (Bathurst 1000 co-driver Tim Slade), we just want to win the race and we'll go hard and do what we need.
"It's good to get a consecutive championship and hopefully we can get a consecutive Bathurst win as well."
The final race of the penultimate round of the season is a reward for a consistent campaign for Waters, who claimed his second career win and first for three years.
Earlier, McLaughlin won his 13th race of the season, adding to his triumph on Saturday, finishing ahead of Penrite Racing's Anton de Pasquale and Waters.
It was McLaughlin's 56th career victory, taking him past Garth Tander into outright fourth on the all-time race wins list.
While disappointed to see the title slip away, Whincup will fully focus attention on trying to win his fifth Bathurst 1000.
"Big congrats to Scotty and his team for an amazing year," he said.
"We did whatever we could to take the championship to Bathurst but we just weren't quick enough and you have to be consistent. We just weren't quite there."
TAILEM BEND SUPERSPRINT RACE TWO
1. Scott McLaughlin (Ford)
2. Anton de Pasquale (Holden)
3. Cameron Waters (Ford)
4. James Courtney (Ford)
5. Shane van Gisbergen (Holden)
TAILEM BEND SUPERSPRINT RACE THREE
1. Cameron Waters
2. Scott McLaughlin
3. Jamie Whincup (Holden)
4. Nick Percat (Holden)
5. Shane van Gisbergen
SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Scott McLaughlin - 2354 pts (champion-elect)
2. Jamie Whincup - 2049
3. Cameron Waters - 1849
4. Shane van Gisbergen - 1795
5. Chaz Mostert - 1700
Australian Associated Press