Wood centre of Finals drama in chaotic start to Gold Coast opener

Race 28 of the Repco Supercars Championship is currently under it's third Safety Car period in what has been a wild start to the Finals Series.

It didn't take long for there to be drama for the Finals Drivers, as Kai Allen bumped Will Brown into a spin on just the second lap of the race at Turn 11.

Brown, who earlier crashed in the Boost Mobile Top Ten Shootout, was spun to the rear of the field, however has recovered to 13th at the time of the third Safety Car.

Then came a shock twist, as for the second straight race, Ryan Wood was taken out of contention for a race win by mechanical drama.

The #2 Mobil 1 Truck Assist Racing Mustang began leaking fuel from the lead of the race, and after attempting routine service, was given a mechanical black flag to rectify the issue.

"Just gut-wrenching for everyone," said a despondent Wood as the WAU crew worked feverishly to get the fuel system repaired.

"It's just challenging to be in a position, obviously it's early in the race, but I felt like I had really good car speed.

"Unfortunately, sometimes the world doesn't choose you on the day, and unfortunately that has happened today.

"Nonetheless, the boys will be working overtime to get out there, and I can't thank them enough. It's just one of those days.

"I'm sorry to all of them, I'm sorry to all of our sponsors, our fans, especially when the Mobil 1 Truck Assist Mustang is on and fast."

Wood has since returned to the track seven laps off the lead, helped by the opening Safety Car period of the day coming out whilst he was in the garage.

The cause? An advertising banner that had come loose from the catchfence on the entry to Turn 1.

That led to pandemonium in the pits as the entire field came in to make their first stop. Chaz Mostert found himself boxed in behind the double-stacking Kai Allen, and once he cleared one Penrite Mustang, was clattered into by the other Penrite entry of Matt Payne.

Payne received a 15-second penalty for an unsafe release, whilst Cam Waters was the big winner amid the chaos, rising from fifth to second.

Two more Safety Cars came in quick succession, the first for a big accident involving Cooper Murray and the luckless Jaxon Evans at the exit of the Beach Chicane, Evans an innocent bystander as Murray's right rear wheel was thrown straight into his path.

The third Safety Car was deployed due to a disrupted tyre bundle at Turn 1, which was hit by Mostert.

Broc Feeney leads from Waters, Mostert, Payne, and James Courtney as the race prepares to go back to green flag racing.