Supercars: Scott McLaughlin dedicates Albert Park victory to Christchurch following massacre

Scott McLaughlin has carried on his running tribute to his hurting nation, with the Christchurch native winning the first two races of the weekend in Melbourne.

49 lives were lost in a mass shooting at mosques in Christchurch on Friday, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern marking it as "one of New Zealand’s darkest days".

In the wake of the devastation, sporting codes have taken action - notably, a Test match in the city between New Zealand and Bangladesh has been cancelled,  as has a Super Rugby match in Dunedin.

An emotional McLaughlin dedicated his Friday victory in the opening leg of the Melbourne 400 to his home town, before backing it up in the Saturday morning sprint race - which was also the 1000th ATCC/VASC race.

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The 25-year-old was clearly emotional as the New Zealand national anthem played out after both wins in Melbourne.

"Me and [teammate Fabian Coulthard] are Kiwis, I'm from Christchurch originally," McLaughlin said after Friday's race.

"I found out about the whole thing after quali, it was a bit of a shock to the system.

"Even hearing the New Zealand anthem tonight was pretty special and gave me goosebumps.

"I send big love to them over there. It's a small town, it's hard to believe something so bad could happen there, but they'll work through it."

Kiwi 1-2 🏆 - that’s for you New Zealand - Stay Strong 💛🇳🇿 #VASC pic.twitter.com/cYTVBsvW0H

— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) March 15, 2019

In response to the tragedy, the Supercars family will carry messages of support to Christchurch for the rest of the weekend in Melbourne.

2018 series champion McLaughlin is one of five Kiwis in the field - along with Coulthard, Shane van Gisbergen, Andre Heimgartner and Richie Stanaway - and silver fern stickers were applied to cars and helmets up and down pit lane.

Today we race in memory of all those lost in #Christchurch yesterday. Both cars will display the Silver Fern on the mirrors for the rest of the weekend, alongside @FabianCoulthard & @smclaughlin93's helmets. #VASC pic.twitter.com/QZWf3rZxJL

— Shell V-Power Racing (@DJRTeamPenske) March 16, 2019

McLaughlin's and Coulthard's Shell V-Power Racing Ford Mustangs are carrying black mirrors with the silver fern on them, just one of many simple - yet emotional - tributes to the fallen.

Today the 1,000th race is for all those affected in Christchurch.#redbullholden #VASC pic.twitter.com/xFrVz2RqUy

— Red Bull Holden (@redbullholden) March 16, 2019

Supercars CEO Sean Seamer is also a New Zealand native, and hoped the racing could help provide some "respite" and a "distraction" to his countrypeople involved in the sport.

"To our friends, family and fans in Christchurch and New Zealand, the Supercars family is deeply saddened by yesterday’s horrific events in Christchurch,” Seamer said.

"Many New Zealanders take part in and contribute to our sport, and in many ways it feels inappropriate to be here in Melbourne doing something we enjoy while there is so much pain in Christchurch.

"We can only hope, humbly, the Supercars activity this weekend can provide some brief respite and a distraction from what is otherwise a very sombre time for our New Zealand brethren.

"Our heartfelt condolences are with all of those affected."

SUPERCARS: MELBOURNE 400

RACE 3 RESULTS

SUPERCARS: MELBOURNE 400

RACE 4 RESULTS

SUPERCARS: CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

AFTER RACE 4