In the euphoria of his win on home soil, Scott McLaughlin has established he's ready to become a Supercars champion at Newcastle this month.
McLaughlin rode a wave of emotion to triumph in Sunday's race at Pukekohe Park, claiming the Jason Richards Trophy for best performed driver of the Kiwi meet.
In points terms, McLaughlin leaves New Zealand in the same place he arrived in; 14 points clear of Shane van Gisbergen after the pair reversed their 1-2 finish on Saturday.
But McLaughlin was entitled to rip into his burnouts on Sunday, and his fence-climbing celebration, given his weekend of tumult.