Supercars Melbourne: Brodie Kostecki wins race two as Matt Payne maintains title lead
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Brodie Kostecki took victory in the second Supercars race of the Australian Grand Prix weekend at Albert Park.
In an action-packed race Kostecki, who was feeling better after falling ill on Thursday, watched as Matt Payne led away from pole position. Kostecki stalked the Grove Racing Ford Mustang for the opening four laps, before the Dick Johnson Racing Mustang found a way through to the lead. Over the final laps, Payne closed on Kostecki’s car but there was no way around the DJR car, with Kostecki taking the win by a narrow 0.57s.
“I made some really good changes prior to that race, and I was able to pace Matt early in that race,” Kostecki said after the two Fords cleared out 12 seconds ahead of the opposition.
“They are probably the fastest 19 laps I have run here. It’s quite risky here making a bum move, he was coming back a little bit at the end.”
Payne consolidated his championship points lead with his run to second place at Albert Park.
“I probably didn’t have the start that the car needed, we didn’t have enough to cover Brodie off," said Payne. “Our race was done once he got past.”
After giving Toyota its first podium in only the brand’s fifth Supercars race Ryan Wood was a satisfied man.
“It’s a very special day for our team and myself,” he grinned. “I made a mistake and I ran wide but I don’t think I had a shot, they [Kostecki and Payne] were on another level."
It was a very physical race for the minor placings. Chaz Mostert started on the second row of the grid and ran fourth early, but a clash with Triple Eight’s Broc Feeney left the Walkinshaw TWG Toyota GR Supra with misaligned steering. As Mostert dropped back, Feeney got on the move, quickly moving up to challenge the Blanchard Racing Ford of Aaron Cameron for fourth place.
But when the two made contact at the last corner on lap 10, Feeney tried to redress a contact laden pass, and Kai Allen sensed a gain. Both his Grove Racing Ford and Cameron spun onto the grass, leaving Feeney to carry on, even if Jack Le Brocq (Matt Stone Racing Chevrolet) and Cam Waters (Tickford Racing Ford) picked him off soon after.
In the end, Waters came through to fourth place ahead of Allen and Le Brocq. Feeney was seventh ahead of the second Tickford Ford of Thomas Randle.
Will Brown had a tough race. He started 10th but the Triple Eight Ford was shuffled back to 15th on the opening lap and then, while making ground, the 2023 champion scored a 15-second time penalty for pushing Cooper Murray’s Erebus Motorsport Chevrolet wide at Turn 11. Brown later had contact with Cameron Hill (Brad Jones Racing Toyota), damaging the rear of the Mustang.
After his penalty Brown was classified in 21st place.
There will be two qualifying sessions at Albert Park on Saturday for the remaining races, with one each on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.
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