Allen makes Finals admission as sparkling run continues
Kai Allen on the cusp of Finals berth after Ipswich double podium
Penrite Racing rookie just 20 points outside of provisional Finals berth
Allen to be joined by Dale Wood for Enduro Cup
Kai Allen's supreme run of form continued at the Century Batteries Ipswich Super 440, however despite flying into contention, securing a berth in the Repco Supercars Finals Series remains in the back of his mind.
The 20-year-old rookie has been one of the revelations of the season to date, and for the second time this year claimed multiple podiums in a single event weekend.
A former Dick Johnson Racing junior, Allen jumped at the chance when it became clear he wouldn't feature at DJR in 2025, and has hit the ground running with four podiums for the season to DJR's three.
The 2023 Dunlop Super2 Series champion has particularly come on strong over the last three rounds in Darwin, Townsville, and Ipswich, which have seen him vault from 17th in points to the brink of Finals in 11th.
Allen enters the Ryco Enduro Cup just 20 points away from Thomas Randle, who is currently sitting on the Finals bubble in 10th, however the South Australian is purely focused on maximising whatever results are available.
"Obviously that hasn't been my focus, it's been just learning and making sure I'm executing as much as I can," said Allen.
"Obviously Darwin was a very, very good round to kickstart that hunt into The Finals, but still we can't think about that. It's in the back of our mind, but we've got to keep marching forward, and I've got to keep doing what I'm doing.
"I'm still learning a lot, even in those races then, and we're battling guys that are really good for those positions, and the weather comes in, and all of those are new learnings for me.
"We've just got to keep chipping away. That's definitely a goal, but you can't think about that because there's big, big points on the table for The Finals, and anything can swing it in anyone's way."
Allen will have his first home round as a Supercars full-timer next time out in Tailem Bend, with the experienced Dale Wood completing the driver line-up for the #26 Penrite Mustang.
Having grown up in Mount Gambier, the 20-year-old is excited to get on the track at Tailem Bend, which will be the first of two South Australian rounds before the bp Adelaide Grand Final in November.
"I'm definitely excited to go to The Bend. It's a home event for me, even if it's three hours away from where I grew up, but still it's a South Australian event," Allen said.
"My personal sponsor for many years, AirTouch, is sponsoring the event, so it's going to be cool to race at the AirTouch 500, and I'm sure the Penrite Mustang is going to be super speedy there."
The Ryco Enduro Cup opener takes place from September 12-14. Tickets for the AirTouch 500 at The Bend are on sale now.
Supercars Finals Focus: Kai Allen
Championship position at end of each round, difference to 10th
Round | Champ. position | Diff. to 10th |
|---|---|---|
Sydney | 20th | -71 |
Melbourne | 19th | -93 |
Taupō | 16th | -154 |
Tasmania | 19th | -195 |
Perth | 17th | -139 |
Darwin | 12th | -43 |
Townsville | 12th | -80 |
Ipswich | 11th | -20 |
