Bathurst 2020: Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen's victory removes monkey (and Murphy) off back

After years of heartache, Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen can finally call himself 'King of the Mountain'.

'The Giz' won an enthralling Bathurst 1000 yesterday, marking the end of the 2020 season.

And while uncertainty remains around whether champion Scott McLaughlin will return... van Gisbergen's win ensured another Supercars icon bowed out on a high.

Victory had eluded him for his 14-year career, but after two second-place finishes and six top 10s, van Gisbergen finally got the monkey - and Greg Murphy - off his back.

"He always gives me shit for never winning this thing, so I'll give it back to him... so there you go, Greg," he reflected afterwards. 

"To see him do it in the style he did it yesterday, he can give me as much crap as he likes, because he deserves to," responds fellow Kiwi and four-time Bathurst winner Murphy.

Victory was historic, not only because it was SVG's first at Bathurst, but because it was Holden's last. 

The manufacturer will stop production at the end of the year and van Gisbergen's drive was the perfect way to pay tribute to a brand that's been part of the championship for more than 50 seasons.

"I think it was a suitable and poetic finish to this era," agrees Murphy.

While the Holden era was definitely ending, questions also remain over the future of Kiwi Scott McLaughlin as a fulltime Supercars driver.

"If it is [the end], I'm completely satisfied," he says. 

After clinching his third straight Supercars championship, McLaughlin has flown out to the United States for his Indycar debut at St Petersburg, Florida, next weekend.

"I've done everything I want to achieve, regardless of how St Pete's goes," he insists.

If all goes well there, he'll most likely land a fulltime drive next year.

"I just know whatever he touches as far as race cars go, it will be success," says Murphy. "I can't wait to see him attack something completely different."

If it is the end of the road for McLaughlin, he'll bow out a champion - like Holden, thanks to van Gisbergen's win.

Join us on Monday morning for live updates, as Kiwis Scott Dixon & Scott McLaughlin chase Indycar glory at St Petersburg.