Kostecki wins rain-hit $50,000 sprint, Mostert slashes Feeney's lead
Brodie Kostecki scores mega payday in rain-hit Adelaide opener
Chaz Mostert benefits from Broc Feeney error to slash lead at the top
Feeney takes 13-point lead over Mostert into Saturday
Brodie Kostecki is $50,000 richer after controlling the bp Adelaide Grand Final opener, with Chaz Mostert slashing championship rival's Broc Feeney's lead in a dramatic rain-hit wet sprint.
Shell V-Power Racing Team star Kostecki stole the lead from Ford rival Mostert on lap 3, and was never threatened from there as rain closed in over Adelaide. After Thomas Randle aquaplaned into the wall at Turn 8, the field was brought under control by the bp pulse Safety Car.
The race was red-flagged and wasn't restarted, confirming Kostecki as the winner. With more than 50% of the race completed, full points were awarded, helping Mostert slash Feeney's lead from 20 to 13 points.
"First of all I want to appreciate everyone for sticking it out, it was looking a but grim there for a while, but glad we got three quarters of the race in," said Kostecki.
"It was getting pretty treacherous there towards the end of that stint there, and right before Thomas crashed. I almost went in myself, and I saw Chaz was hustling me for a little bit, so kudos to those guys, one step closer to them.
"I just want to thank everyone at Shell V-Power Racing that are here this weekend, also back at home as well. What an awesome way to start the weekend, 50 grand.
"Hopefully the team owners take us to The Maldives or something for a holiday."
Mostert and Ryan Wood completed the podium ahead of Feeney, with a penalty for Cam Waters promoting Kai Allen and Will Brown to fifth and ninth. Waters was reclassified in eighth, with Matt Payne, Andre Heimgartner and Anton De Pasquale rounding out the top 10. Will Davison, who started 25th and last, finished 11th.
Following a brief delay, lights went out under gloomy skies. Mostert and Feeney bumped doors to Turn 1, and again into Turn 4. At Turn 9, Mostert threw his Ford down the inside, only to cede position back to the pole sitter. Behind them, Brown was tipped into a spin to last by Randle, who was hit with a 15-second penalty.
Behind them, James Golding was sent into a spin at the final corner after squeezing Cameron Hill, but both Camaros managed to press on.
On lap 2, Waters had a look at Mostert, only to get burgled by Kostecki into Turn 6. On the following lap, Feeney bowled a wide at Turn 4, opening the door to Mostert. Three corners later, Kostecki got down the inside of Mostert, who didn't put up a fight.
On lap 4, Waters sent Cooper Murray into a spin at Turn 9, and the Erebus Chevrolet hit the inside wall. Waters also copped a 15-second penalty, and fell into the clutches of both Penrite Fords.
By the end of lap 7, Kostecki had opened up a 1.7s lead over Mostert, while Wood closed in on Feeney. On lap 10, Feeney sidestepped Wood at the final corner. By that stage, Mostert was 4.3s up the road.
As Kostecki commenced lap 19, the heavens opened over Adelaide. The leaders marched on, but Randle slid into the wall at Turn 9, triggering the bp pulse Safety Car. At the time, Mostert had slashed Kostecki's lead to 1.3s.
Kostecki led the field into pit lane, and retained the lead. Rain intensified as the train was brought under control of the Safety Car, while officials opted to halt the race to realign the barriers at Turn 8.
NASCAR Cup Series star Austin Cindric started and finished 23rd ahead of Murray, with Randle suffering his first DNF since Perth 2023.
Supercars action resumes on Saturday with Boost Mobile Qualifying at 10:05am local/10:35am AEDT, followed by the Boost Mobile Top Ten Shootout at 12:35pm/1:05pm. The 78-lap Race 33 follows at 3:20pm/3:50pm.
