For McLaughlin, things went awry at the start when he got a poor getaway, the Shell V-Power Racing Team Falcon driver losing valuable ground in the early stages tucked in behind team-mate Fabian Coulthard.

This prompted the team to bring McLaughlin in for his first tyre stop earlier than planned, a move that ultimately left the championship leader with older tyres than those enjoyed by his rivals in the run to the flag.

As a flawless Mostert raced on to victory, in the closing stages McLaughlin was more occupied ensuring the fast-finishing Shane van Gisbergen did not steal second place.

Fourth was van Gisbergen’s Red Bull Holden team-mate Jamie Whincup - who had graciously allowed van Gisbergen past in the closing stages at the request of the team, which felt the latter’s much newer tyres gave van Gisbergen a better chance of overtaking the two Falcons ahead than did Whincup.

While ultimately Whincup surrendered a podium position for no net team benefit to the team and only to the detriment of himself, fourth place was a welcome result after a disastrous Saturday that has seen McLaughlin extend his points lead over second-placed Whincup by a substantial margin.

For Mostert, the Queensland round was a major boost to his championship campaign, the Supercheap Auto Racing Falcon driver having finished second on the Saturday to cap a near-perfect weekend.

Next round of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship is at Sydney Motorsport Park on August 18-20.