Wood 'devastated' over costly Kostecki clash
Ryan Wood and Brodie Kostecki tangled on first lap of Taupō finale
Wood copped five-second penalty for squeezing polesitter off the road
Kostecki's second collision with a WAU car in as many days
Ryan Wood has been left to rue a controversial first lap collision in the final race of the ITM Taupō Super 440 that saw any chance of a potential maiden Supercars win vanish.
Starting third for this afternoon's 200km refuelling race at Taupō, the WAU sophomore had a big opportunity to claim a maiden Supercars win present itself when Anton De Pasquale overshot the first corner from second.
At the exit of Turn 7, Wood was able to get a run on pole-sitter Brodie Kostecki, and promptly muscled his way up the inside at Turn 8, squeezing the #38 Ford off the track into the grass.
Both Mustangs ran wide at the following Turn 9 as a result, allowing Cameron Hill and eventual winner Matt Payne through and allowing the pair to escape up the road.
Although both continued on with out major damage, Wood was adjudged to have left inadequate racing room for the reigning Bathurst winner, and was slapped with a five-second penalty for his troubles.
The Kiwi, who claimed his maiden Supercars podium in the first race of the weekend, ultimately finished outside the top 10 in 11th, whilst Kostecki slipped off the podium after losing pace in the final stint.
The pair saw each other post-race, with Kostecki siding with the 21-year-old from Wellington on the post-race broadcast.
"It was a bit unfortunate, but I just saw Woody, he was pretty [devastated]," said Kostecki.
"I don't know what he really did wrong, like I said I'm happy with the racing, I didn't even say anything on the radio, but obviously the call for him was a five second penalty, so it's pretty interesting.
"I got run off the road yesterday too, and no one got a penalty, so I don't really understand it at some points."
Walkinshaw Andretti United CEO Bruce Stewart didn't comment on the matter directly when asked about the incident at the post-race press conference, but admitted he was disappointed by the outcome.
"I'd love to talk more about today's incident, but I won't," Stewart said.
"I'll just leave it for discussions behind the doors, but to say I'm frustrated would be an understatement."
Wood is part of a post-race investigation for another incident that happened late in the race involving Will Davison, who finished two places ahead of the #2 Mustang in ninth.
Having risen to 10th in the standings by virtue of his Saturday podium, Wood now sits a provisional 12th in the standings pending post-race investigations for he, Davison, and provisional points leader Will Brown.
The next round of the 2025 Repco Supercars Championship will be held at the Snowy River Caravans Tasmania Super 440 from May 9-11. Tickets for the event are on sale now.
