MOTORSPORT: Kostecki claims Supercars title
Ford dominates as the season wraps up on the streets of AdelaideBrodie Kostecki has cruised to his maiden Repco Supercars championship crown, as his title challenger Shane van Gisbergen faltered at the season-ending Vailo Adelaide 500.
It was a breakthrough year for the 26-year-old West Australia native, who claimed his first career pair of wins at the Australian Grand Prix, with further successes coming at Sydney Motorsport Park and at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, where he swept the three-race weekend.
In Adelaide, he registered a pair of pole positions before bringing home results of sixth and eighth to put the title beyond doubt.
“I don’t think it has sunk in yet,” said Kostecki.
“This team has delivered all year, and that was a pretty high-pressure scenario this weekend.
“We had perfect pit stops without any fumbles, and I can’t recall one all year; that is a testament to everyone.
“Not only have we been fast and presented well, but you have to do everything right to win this championship because it is too close.
“To go up against Triple Eight and beat those guys is pretty cool.”
The weekend for van Gisbergen was tough, however, with the three-time champion set to depart the category and next year campaign in various stock car classes in North America.
In the opener, he was caught up in an accident with Kostecki’s teammate Will Brown on the opening circuit, while mechanical dramas sidelined the Kiwi on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Ford’s season of woe was a distant memory, with a dominant pair of races.
On Sunday, Cameron Waters led a Ford sweep of the top four positions, while on Sunday, Kiwi rookie ace Mathew Payne blitzed the field in claiming his first victory, following in the footsteps of Broc Feeney and Jamie Whincup, who won their first career races on Sunday in Adelaide.
“Man, the car was so fast,” said Payne.
“I've got to thank Penrite Racing for the fast car, it was such a jet.
“Everyone’s been working so hard here. To crack a win with Dave [Reynolds] at the Gold Coast was amazing, and now finally I get to get my first win in Adelaide.
“So stoked, so proud of everyone.”
Other Ford runners were in the points, with David Reynolds claiming a double podium, while a pair of fourth-place results saw Chaz Mostert move up to fourth overall in the final standings.
Meanwhile, in the team’s title, Erebus Motorsport claimed the major prize ahead of Triple Eight, with Brad Jones Racing’s leading combination holding off the pack for third overall.
The 2024 Supercars championship kicks off with the Bathurst 500 over February 23 to 25, a week after Bathurst 12 Hour.
Race 1 – 78 laps
- Cameron Waters, Monster Energy Mustang
- David Reynolds, Penrite Mustang
- Thomas Randle, Castrol Mustang
- Chaz Mostert, Mobil 1 Optus Mustang
- Broc Feeney, Red Bull Ampol Chevrolet
- Brodie Kostecki, Coca-Cola Chevrolet
- Will Davison, Shell V-Power Mustang
- James Courtney, Snowy River Mustang
- Andre Heimgartner, R&J Batteries Chevrolet
- Scott Pye, Toyota Forklifts Chevrolet
Race 2 – 78 laps
- Matthew Payne, Penrite Mustang
- Broc Feeney
- David Reynolds
- Cameron Waters
- Chaz Mostert
- Andre Heimgartner
- Anton De Pasquale, Shell V-Power Mustang
- Brodie Kostecki
- Will Davison
- Thomas Randle
Championship points:
- Brodie Kostecki – 2888
- Shane van Gisbergen, Red Bull Ampol Chevrolet – 2565
- Broc Feeney – 2441
- Chaz Mostert – 2287
- Will Brown, Coca-Cola Chevrolet – 2264
- Cameron Waters – 2099
- Andre Heimgartner – 2016
- Anton De Pasquale – 1818
- David Reynolds – 1806
- Will Davison – 1786
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