It was perhaps inevitable that Scott McLaughlin and Alex Prémat would win the 2019 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. But there was uncertainty through the entire weekend and it was only a one-lap green dash to the flag that stamped the pair as maiden winners of The Great Race. As ever though, subplots laced the event. There were big crashes leading into the race before the Mountain came to play on race day, destroying cars at a similar rate to which it broke hearts. Lap records were smashed on every day and ‘aero wash’ became one of the most uttered phrases of the weekend. There was controversy with team orders that meant an FIA hearing a week after the event was needed to confirm the winner, and then another hearing two weeks later to change the official pole sitter for the race, even though nothing could change who started the race in that slot. It was controversial race with controversial decisions. And, of course, there was the epic Ford versus Holden battle with a brilliant cameo from Nissan before the emotional win for the team that carried Dick Johnson as its figurehead. Yes, this was Bathurst 2019… a race that had it all and this is the story.
