SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 05: Mark Winterbottom driver of the #5 Pepsi Max Crew Ford celebrates with his crew after claiming his maiden V8 Supercar Championship Series title after finishing third in race #35 for the Sydney 500, which is part of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Sydney Olympic Park Street Circuit on December 5, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Mark Winterbottom with his crew after claiming his maiden V8 Supercar Championship Series title after finishing third in race #35 for the Sydney 500 on December 5, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Mark Winterbottom has clinched his maiden V8 Supercars championship with a third placing in the second race of the Coates Hire Sydney 500.

Winterbottom rounded out the podium behind race winner Jamie Whincup and teammate David Reynolds, the result enough to mathematically secure the crown over his sole remaining rival, Craig Lowndes.

Lowndes could only manage a seventh-place finish, leaving Winterbottom with an insurmountable 220-point lead with just the final race of the season remaining on Sunday.

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