Lap 1 crash sidelines Evans for second Saturday race

A heavy lap 1 crash has put Jaxon Evans' betr Darwin Triple Crown campaign in doubt.

The Repco Supercars Championship field is set to be reduced to at least 24 cars for the second Saturday race after a spate of incidents in Race 17.

Evans' #12 SCT Logistics Camaro was ruled out immediately after a head-on crash exiting Turn 1.

The New Zealander collided with PremiAir Racing driver Richie Stanaway as the field exited the first corner. Interlocking wheels sent Evans spearing into the Armco barriers.

The #12 Chevrolet went head-first into the wall, with Evans out on the spot.

The resultant bp pulse Safety Car period led to another dramatic incident on the restart, with an engine failure for Ryan Wood bunching the mid-pack.

Jack Le Brocq was sent into the inside concrete wall and out of the race, with the Erebus Motorsport driver in doubt for Saturday's second race.

Speaking on the broadcast after the crash, Evans said: "I'm all good, bit of a sore foot but otherwise not bad.

"We didn't quite execute in qualifying and unfortunately paid the price for that.

"I felt like I got escorted wide at the exit of [Turn] 1, interlocked wheels and sent me to the fence.

"Pretty heavily damaged and unfortunately won't be out this afternoon."

The incident dropped Evans to 20th in the championship, with Stanaway 26 points behind in 21st after coming home 22nd following a later collision.

Supercars action resumes on Saturday with Race 18 at 3:10pm local/3:40pm AEST.