A 25-second time penalty has stripped Shane van Gisbergen of his Saturday win at the Coates Hire Newcastle 500, and cost him critical ground in the championship.
Stewards have confirmed the time penalty this morning following last night’s investigation into an alleged refuelling breach at his third pit-stop.
The fuel hose remained connected when the car was being dropped to the ground, which contravenes regulations.
Van Gisbergen's penalty drops him from first to fifth in the race result, behind Scott McLaughlin, David Reynolds, Jamie Whincup and Scott Pye.
It also extends McLaughlin's lead over van Gisbergen in the championship from two to 53 points with just one 150-point race remaining.
If van Gisbergen wins today's 250km race, McLaughlin now needs only to finish sixth to claim his maiden Supercars title.
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