Five things we learned: Masterful Mostert, Payne stars

Supercars

23 Jul 2024

Here's what Supercars.com learned in Sydney, where Chaz Mostert forced his way back into the title fight

4 mins by James Pavey

Panasonic Air Conditioning Sydney SuperNight

When we look back on the 2024 season, we might circle the Panasonic Air Conditioning Sydney SuperNight as being key to the overall championship picture.

Chaz Mostert had to pass drivers for the win on both days, but the Ford star was the benchmark from the moment lights went out to the chequered flag.

In two rounds, Mostert has shaved 174 points off the deficit to Will Brown, and jumped past Broc Feeney into second after his victory on Sunday, giving Triple Eight food for thought.

There's still plenty to play for in '24, and the next round in Tasmania will be telling as to whether Mostert is a genuine title contender, or Triple Eight still has the drivers to beat.

Chaz giving Triple Eight something to worry about

Is this Chaz Mostert's year? We'll find out in November, but at this stage, the Walkinshaw Andretti United star is giving himself every opportunity to fight for the championship. Mostert was peerless in both Sydney races, and slashed his deficit to Will Brown from 174 to 105 points. Confidence counts for plenty in motorsport, and Mostert has the most by far of drivers on the grid. Mostert split both Triple Eight drivers in the standings, ending a 15-race run of Red Bull Ampol drivers being first and second. Brown still has a handy buffer, but in two rounds, Mostert has clawed back 174 points. Mark Skaife thinks Mostert can win it, while Garth Tander is backing Triple Eight. With 1510 points still to win, it's anyone's guess how this will end, and Tasmania will play a crucial role in the overall story.

Feeney keeps finding himself on the back foot

It has been a rollercoaster season for Broc Feeney, who still has more wins than any other driver through seven rounds. Feeney won three of the first five races, but has three podiums in his last 10 starts, two of them his Darwin victories. Where is it going wrong for Feeney? It doesn't help that Brown has been ultra consistent, and qualifying hasn't been kind to either driver of late. Brown winning in Taupō put fire in the belly for Feeney, but he didn't have the pace in Perth. He was the guy in Darwin, but didn't capitalise in Townsville when Brown stumbled. Then, he finished behind Brown in the Sydney opener after qualifying three positions ahead. And sometimes, it doesn't go your way, with Feeney 0.08s behind Brown on Sunday, yet nine positions behind in the order. Now 153 points behind Brown, Feeney can't afford another non-event.

Payne going from strength to strength

Matt Payne has won plenty of fans since he debuted last year, winning the Adelaide 500 before going toe-to-toe with several big names, headlined by his Grand Prix clash with Cam Waters. In Sydney, Payne was box office, spinning in the Shootout before making a one-stop strategy work on Saturday, before pulling off what Mark Skaife described as the "move of the year" on Sunday. Payne followed it up with some of the quotes of the year, proving to many he not only has the talent of previous star Kiwis, but the wit, too.

DJR close to joining the fight for wins

Will Davison snapped a pole drought to head the field into Turn 1 on Sunday, and at that stage, Dick Johnson Racing fans were dreaming of victory. However, Davison missed out on strategy and finished sixth, despite holding second before the first stops. Both DJR drivers finished the two races in the top six, but there still remains a deficit to its rivals. However, the team is getting closer, and once it gets there, DJR will surely be in the fight for race wins.

The importance of having two cars in the fight

Remarkably, Chaz Mostert won both races, yet Walkinshaw Andretti United went backwards in the teams' championship. For the first time since Perth, WAU won't occupy second position in pit lane, with Tickford Racing overhauling its Ford rival by 13 points. Tickford had Cam Waters and Thomas Randle bring home a podium and a top 10 each, while rookie Ryan Wood finished 13th and 16th. Despite Mostert's 300-point weekend, Tickford out-scored WAU by 18 points, proving how important it is to have both drivers at the pointy end.

The 2024 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint on August 16-18. Tickets for the event are on sale now. Live coverage can be found on Foxtel, with live streaming available on Kayo. Highlights will be shown on the Seven Network and 7plus. International viewers can follow all the action on Superview.