A Holden Commodore has conquered Mount Panorama for the final time with Shane van Gisbergen securing a memorable Supercars victory in the red lion's Bathurst 1000 farewell.
In teaming up with, now four-times winner Garth Tander, van Gisbergen claimed the 161-lap enduro for the first time on Sunday.
The Red Bull champion held off numerous fierce passing attempts from Ford's Cameron Waters, who started the great race in pole position.
Not even two safety cars being called in the final nine laps could derail van Gisbergen's charge towards glory.
It prompted van Gisbergen's boss Roland Dane to label him the "most intelligent racing driver".
The New Zealander's previous best result at Bathurst was second in 2016 and 2019, while veteran Tander had already tasted the ultimate success in 2000, 2009 and 2011.
It was van Gisbergen's 40th Supercars career win and the 34th time a Holden car has won at Mount Panorama.
Tander joins Allan Moffat, Greg Murphy and Jamie Whincup as a four-time winner.
Chaz Mostert, who won a dramatic Bathurst 1000 in 2014 driving a Ford, ensured four Holden drivers stood on the podium by coming third - with co-driver Warren Luff.
The result means Commodores have won five of the past six Bathurst 1000s, with only Scott McLaughlin (2019) saluting for Ford since 2015.
It is Holden's last Supercars race in an official capacity before it is retired by General Motors at the end of this year.
In paying tribute to the brand, van Gisbergen stuck a Holden flag in his car as he completed his victory lap.
The 31-year-old was thrilled to finally shake the Bathurst monkey off his back.
"It's just awesome. The last few laps with the safety cars were really tough," van Gisbergen said.
"It's a great way to send out Holden. Thanks to Garth, he did an awesome job. I just wish my mum and dad were here."
Defending champion McLaughlin finished fifth in what could be the Ford superstar's last race in Australia before he begins an IndyCar career.
But he was still able to celebrate his third-straight Supercars championship after he clinched the title at last month's round at Tailem Bend.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic shaking up the Supercars calendar, it is the first time since 2000 the season championship has finished in the regional NSW city.
While van Gisbergen took the chequered flag, it was a disastrous day for star Triple Eight teammate Jamie Whincup, who crashed out on lap-33.
BATHURST 1000 RESULTS
1. Shane van Gisbergen/Garth Tander (Holden)
2. Cameron Waters/Will Davison (Ford)
3. Chaz Mostert/Warren Luff (Holden)
4. Fabian Coulthard/Tony D'Alberto (Ford)
5. Scott McLaughlin/Tim Slade (Ford)
6. Scott Pye/Dean Fiore (Holden)
7. Lee Holdsworth/Michael Caruso (Ford)
8. Mark Winterbottom/James Golding (Holden)
9. Anton de Pasquale/Brodie Kostecki (Holden)
10. James Courtney/Broc Feeney (Ford)
Australian Associated Press
