Cause of Mostert's run to 17th revealed
Exhaust damage hinders Chaz Mostert’s Friday efforts
Mostert finishes 17th after contact with Todd Hazelwood
WAU star 83 points from championship lead
Exhaust damage hinders Chaz Mostert’s Friday efforts in Melbourne were undone by a damaged exhaust, Walkinshaw Andretti United has revealed.
Mostert entered Friday just 32 points from the championship lead, but a torrid run to 17th in Race 4 has left the WAU star 83 points down on Will Brown.
The #25 Mobil 1 Optus Ford was fighting for eighth on the first lap with Todd Hazelwood, with the two cars coming together at Turn 11.
Hazelwood dropped from ninth to 15th, while Mostert dropped to 10th. Hazelwood fought back to 11th behind Mostert by lap 7, before Hazelwood got ahead on the following lap.
From there, Mostert plummeted down the order and was in danger of falling outside the top 20, before being classified 17th.
“It’s been a whirlwind so far that’s for sure, with a mixed bag of results,” said Mostert, who recovered from 10th to fourth on Thursday after a hit from Nick Percat.
"Fourth yesterday was bittersweet, we had the car for the podium, just getting a tap and losing spots meant we had to fight back, but the race car was good.
“Today was going to be a little harder from ninth, but after a whack, we just had to get it across the line… it was a long 10 laps home.
“Fresh start tomorrow, we can put ourselves in the fight with two more qualifying sessions and go from there."
WAU teammate Ryan Wood recovered from a dramatic opening to the race to finish 12th.
Supercars will return on Saturday for back-to-back qualifying sessions and Race 5.
