Championship contenders Scott McLaughlin and Shane Van Gisbergen have both been whacked by Supercars officials after their Sydney Motorsport Park dust-up.
Both have been served 33-second penalties - the equivalent of pit-lane penalties at Eastern Creek - after brawling in Saturday's race.
Van Gisbergen overstepped the mark as a safety car left the track, drawing level with his Kiwi rival and jumping the gun with an audacious overtaking move.
McLaughlin lost his head in the moment, bumping the Red Bull Holden at turn two and spinning him around.
The DJR Team Penske man crossed the line second but was reclassified as 21st - dropping his championship lead over Jamie Whincup frm 129 points to just 42.
The 24-year-old, who apologised to Van Gisbergen for his shunt, accepted the ruling.
Van Gisbergen lost his 15th-placed finish and instead be awarded a 23rd-placed finish, losing 24 points.
That has elevated Chaz Mostert to fourth in the series standings, with the reigning champion dropping to fifth.
Van Gisbergen said he would "cop it and carry on" despite the hit to his title defence.
" The hard thing is Fabian won the race, he scored more points," he said.
"It's not good for the championship but I'll never give up until we're out of it mathematically out of it and you just don't know where you are until after Enduros."
The ruling heightens anticipation for Sunday's 200km race at Eastern Creek, beginning at 2pm (AEST).
McLaughlin qualified on pole for the race, with Van Gisbergen fourth-fastest.