Brown left wanting more despite welcome return to podium

Will Brown made a welcome return to the Repco Supercars Championship podium on Sunday afternoon in Townsville, however the reigning champion is still bemused by his qualifying struggles.

The 27-year-old started seventh for Race 22 today, but was one of the most formidable drivers in the race, charging his way forward through strategy and pace to find himself second in the final stint.

Brown drove a brilliant final stint, closing to within half a second his championship-leading teammate, but faded late to finish three seconds behind, as Feeney put one hand on the Repco Sprint Cup.

Although thrilled to rediscover his strong race pace, a key cornerstone of his 2024 championship victory, Brown is still looking for gains in qualifying, where his average sits at just 8.59 to Feeney's 3.68.

"It was a tough one, I trying to drive through and get on the back of Broc, I didn't have anything for him at the end there which was a little bit disappointing," said the 2024 Sandown 500 winner.

"But it's good to be back on the podium, second place, had a tough few rounds that's for sure, we haven't really been where we want.

"We've got really good race pace, but just nothing in qualifying. We looked at the car between the last round and this round, and made a few steps forward, but still not qualifying where we want to be.

"Our race pace is awesome, the guys and girls did a fantastic job, so I've got to pull my finger out and get it up the front a little bit more, and race a bit harder."

It was a strong end to a weekend that started disastrously for the Red Bull Camaros, with Feeney and Brown 14th and 20th respectively after Race 20 Qualifying.

Brown is also eyeing off the points reset after the Repco Bathurst 1000 as a chance to reset ahead of the first Supercars Finals series across the Gold Coast, Sandown, and Adelaide.

"I think we tuned the car up good, I was 20th after practice and qualifying the first day, came through to 10th, and then eighth, came through," Brown said.

"To get second today and get a podium for everyone is fantastic, but got some work to do going to Ipswich.

"I'm glad the championship's changed with the points order this year so that'll help out, but back to second in the championship, it's not too bad."

When asked if qualifying in the Top Ten Shootout represented a change in one-lap fortunes, Brown responded: "Definitely not, qualifying pace is terrible right now. This weekend it wasn't much better to be honest.

"I've got to still continue to look at that, but race pace is definitely really good, and something we've been good at."

The 2025 Repco Supercars Championship continues at the Century Batteries Ipswich Super 440 from August 8-10. Tickets for the event are on sale now.