Jamie Whincup has won an unprecedented seventh Supercars title after Scott McLaughlin’s championship dream turned to ruin during an epic finale in Newcastle.

The Holden superstar celebrated just his fourth win of the season as McLaughlin squandered a 78-point series lead and pole position after three penalties during Sunday’s 250km race.

McLaughlin kept on fighting and got into a title-winning position before he was hit with a third penalty for what appeared to be a telling pass with three laps remaining, with the 25-second penalty confirming Whincup’s title, winning by 21 points.