DJR reaping rewards of 'intelligent' Kostecki

The racecraft and smarts of Brodie Kostecki have put the Shell V-Power Racing Team in "great shape" ahead of a critical weekend at Sandown.

Kostecki will attempt to qualify for the bp Adelaide Grand Final at this weekend's Semi Final round, the Penrite Oil Sandown 500.

While Kostecki wasn't the standout on the Gold Coast, he delivered results good enough to jump to third in the standings, and enjoy a 30-point margin to the cut-line.

Finishes of seventh from 11th, and second from fourth, were more than enough for Kostecki on the Gold Coast, who was eliminated at the same point of the season after a qualifying crash 12 months ago.

Team Principal Mark Fenning says it was a weekend of "risk management" with Kostecki, who — while nursing front splitter damage — backed off in pursuit of eventual Sunday winner Broc Feeney after Chaz Mostert behind was taken out by a team orders call.

It was the Saturday race, though, that stood out to Fenning, given the #17 Ford had to survive trying conditions and chaos to retain a strong Finals position.

It all points to Kostecki the driver being able to respond to any challenge, given the team stated it has also built a strong base to have answers to adversity.

“The wet conditions on Saturday created challenges for the whole field and Brodie Kostecki managed the race intelligently to come away with solid points," Fenning said.

“Sunday was very strong with Brodie pushing Broc Feeney hard to finish second – the pace was clearly there.

“We leave the Gold Coast sitting third in the Finals’ series and the team is in great shape heading to Sandown.”

Nothing short of a race win guarantees Kostecki's progression to Adelaide, but two runner-up finishes can still put him out if two other Finals drivers win a race each.

Kostecki has a career best eight wins this year, the most in the field, with his 18 podiums and seven poles level with points leader Matt Payne.

Track action commences on Friday.