Cars repaired after Race 5 crashes

Three cars damaged in Saturday’s Race 5 have been repaired for the Beaurepaires Melbourne SuperSprint finale.

Mark Winterbottom, Anton De Pasquale and Macauley Jones all crashed out of the Saturday sprint, which was won by Brodie Kostecki.

Tickford Racing has, however, withdrawn James Courtney’s #5 Snowy Rivers Caravans Mustang after a fire broke out.

Winterbottom crashed at Turn 5 on the opening lap after a collision with James Golding (#31 Nulon Camaro).

Winterbottom managed to return his damaged #18 DEWALT Camaro to pit lane, where he was forced into retirement.

Team 18 was forced into late-night repairs, with repairs completed at 3:00am.

Later, De Pasquale and Jones crashed at Turn 5 after contact from Penrite Racing’s Matt Payne.

De Pasquale’s #11 Shell V-Power Racing Ford was turned around at high speed, with the front splitter ripped off the car.

Jones suffered a worse fate, with his #96 Pizza Hut Camaro buried in the barriers.

Dick Johnson Racing mechanics completed repairs on De Pasquale’s car at approximately 11:00pm on Saturday night.

Brad Jones Racing was still working on Jones’ car on Sunday morning, although major repairs had been completed.

A 24-car grid will tackle Sunday’s race, with Tickford withdrawing Courtney’s entry.

It marks the second DNS in two events for Courtney, who missed the Newcastle finale after he crashed in the Shootout.

Courtney pulled his Ford into pit lane on lap 1 on Saturday after a fire broke out in the left-front corner.

The 2010 champion safely alighted from his car as marshals and team staff put out the flames.

The 13-lap Race 6 is scheduled to commence at 10:25am local time.