Following yesterday's second leg of the Gold Coast 600, the title fight is delicately poised, with only 189 points separating the top five drivers – with 600 points still available from the four remaining races of the season.

Scott McLaughlin’s championship hopes had taken a hammering when he failed to finish at Bathurst, and 12th place in Saturday’s Gold Coast race wasn't exactly above expectation.

On Sunday, however, he and co-driver Alex Premat delivered. From 13th on the grid, Frenchman Premat carved his way through the field to hand the DJR Team Penske Falcon  to McLaughlin in the top five.

Premat's contribution combined with a smart pit strategy saw McLaughlin vault the trio of Triple Eight Race Engineering Commodores which until then had looked on course for a one-two-three result. In the end they had to be content with a team two-three-four behind the Falcon pairing.

But second place for Whincup and co-driver Paul Dumbrell, combined with their sixth place from the previous day, was still enough to elevate Whincup to the championship lead.

It’s the first time that six-times Supercars champion Whincup has topped the points all year.

“It’s all good,” Whincup said. “Happy with the result, but hey pace and being a bit more aggressive on strategy, yeah they deserve the win.”

DJR Team Penske timed their fuel strategy to perfection, because McLaughlin had enough fuel in the tank to hold off the pursuing Commodore fleet to the chequered flag - but not enough to complete the slow down lap.

“I don’t mind pushing my car if it’s pushing it into victory lane,” McLaughlin said.

“Alex Premat drove an unbelievable drive in the first stint. He set us up. Oh my God this is so good after Bathurst!”

Shane van Gisbergen and co-driver Matt Campbell were third, on a weekend that saw van Gisbergen take a solid haul of points (they were fourth on Saturday) that has kept his hopes of defending the championship alive.

Likewise Chaz Mostert enjoyed a very good weekend, with victory on Saturday and seventh on Sunday bringing the PRA Falcon driver right into championship contention.

As they left Surfers Paradise, Whincup led Fabian Coulthard by a slender just 17 points. McLaughlin is third, trailing his team-mate by 10 points. Fourth placed Mostert is 99 points adrift of McLaughlin, and 63 ahead of van Gisbergen.

With a maximum of 600 points still to be won from the remaining New Zealand and Newcastle events, any of the top five could still claim the title.