Feeney 'absolutely gutted' by late failure

Broc Feeney was “absolutely gutted” to see a potential Repco Bathurst 1000 victory slip through his fingers after a late gearbox issue.

Feeney was in the box seat to challenge Red Bull Ampol Racing teammate and eventual winner Shane van Gisbergen for victory ahead of the final stops.

However, Feeney slowed to a crawl and was forced into the lane, and into an eventual 23rd place finish.

For co-driver Jamie Whincup, the run of outs at Mount Panorama continued, with the Supercars Hall of Famer now 10 years without a Bathurst podium finish.

It was also a hammer blow for Feeney’s title hopes, with the 20-year-old now 408 points behind championship leader Brodie Kostecki with 600 points remaining in Surfers Paradise and Adelaide.

Feeney was in tears during a broadcast interview before he got back in the car and coaxed it home.

“I don't know what to say, I’m gutted,” an emotional Feeney said.

“We were real fast, the track was coming to us. I don't know what the fuel numbers were like, we were real fast out there.

Feeney, who will turn 21 in 10 days, was unsure whether van Gisbergen was within reach given fuel strategy disparities.

Regardless, Feeney will have to wait another 12 months to try and etch his name onto the Peter Brock Trophy, having been left speechless by Sunday’s near-miss.

“It’s all about the rollercoaster journey,” he continued.

“I turn 21 in a couple of weeks, so hopefully I get to come back to this place plenty of times and have another crack at it.

“It felt like she slipped through today… the stack at the start didn't help, we fought really well back.“I don't know what to say."