From 2009 until 2016, the final event on the Supercars calendar was the Sydney 500 at the Sydney Olympic Park Street Circuit. Following the demise of the event, Supercars opened discussions with Destination NSW for a replacement event in the state. Initial plans for a race at Gosford on the state's Central Coast fell through after several months of negotiations, leaving Newcastle as the leading alternative. In September 2016, Newcastle's place as the final event of the 2017 season was confirmed in an announcement made by Supercars CEO James Warburton and Premier Mike Baird. In December 2016, the track layout and a November 2017 date for the inaugural event were then confirmed.
The inaugural event culminated in the 2017 championship being decided in the final minutes of the Sunday race. Five drivers went into the event as mathematical championship contenders, however only Jamie Whincup and Scott McLaughlin remained as contenders following the Saturday race. Whincup, who had given up the championship lead with a 21st place on Saturday, won the Sunday race, meaning McLaughlin required an 11th place finish to win the championship. McLaughlin, after being delayed by two in-race penalties, took 11th place from James Moffatt with two laps remaining. Having then run wide on the penultimate lap, McLaughlin moved across the track to block Craig Lowndes from overtaking him, however Lowndes, a team-mate of Whincup, was squeezed into both McLaughlin and the wall and retired from the race at the next corner. McLaughlin was then given a time penalty for the contact, which awarded a record seventh championship to Whincup.
In 2018 the Saturday race was won by Scott McLaughlin and Sunday by David Reynolds. Going into this round Scott McLaughlin led Shane van Gisbergen by 4 points but after the weekend Scott was crowned the 2018 Champion.
In 2023, the Saturday race was won by Cam Waters and Shane van Gisbergen won on Sunday.
2023 David Reynolds on the grid for Saturday's race
2023 Cameron Waters on the grid for Saturday's race
2023 Shane van Gisbergen in the driver's parade before the Sunday race
2023 Broc Feeney in the driver's parade before the Sunday race
2023 Chaz Mostert in the driver's parade before the Sunday race
2023 Brodie Kostecki n the driver's parade before the Sunday race
2023 David Reynolds in the driver's parade before the Sunday race
2023 Saturday podium. Shane van Gisbergen (first), Broc Feeney (second) & Cam Waters (third).
2023 Broc Feeney on the podium for Saturday's race
2023 David Reynolds watches the screen showing the Top 10 Shootout waiting for his turn.
David Reynolds watches the screen showing the Top 10 Shootout waiting for his turn.. Also watching is Stephen Grove (team owner) and David Cauchi (team principal).
2023 David Reynolds suits up for the Top 10 Shootout
2023 Stephen Grove shows excitement as David Reynolds wins his 16th career pole.
2023 David Cauchi (team primcipal) congratulates David Reynolds on his 16th career pole
2023 David Reynolds at turn 1.
2023 David Reynolds removing his helmet after coming third in Sunday's race
2023 Chaz Mostert, second in Sunday's race.
2023 Shane van Gisbergen wins Sunday race
2023 David Reynolds (third) on the podium for Sunday race
2023 Sunday podium. Shane van Gisbergen (first), Chaz Mostert (second) and David Reynolds (third).
© Andrew Gricks PHOTOGRAPHY
