The numbers that support Kostecki's brash claim

Brodie Kostecki has declared that the #17 Shell V-Power Ford is the class of the field entering the second half of the 2026 Repco Supercars Championship.

After missing the final race in Darwin with illness, all eyes were on the 2023 champion as he returned to the cockpit on Friday in Townsville, and he didn't disappoint.

The 28-year-old topped the sole practice session of the weekend, backed up with pole position, and came within two tenths of claiming a last-gasp win in the opening race of the weekend despite a poor start.

That was backed up with another pole on Saturday, before claiming a thumping win to enhance his position as one of the key players in the championship fight come Finals.

Though Kostecki has dropped to third in points, 187 behind runaway leader Matt Payne, his stunning Townsville speed proved that where others have to build into a weekend, Dick Johnson Racing are on the money straight away.

"Obviously that practice was shortened, but on the second lap I just laid down a heater," Kostecki said via his Lucky Dogs podcast.

"I think probably out of the [truck], our cars roll out the best at the moment. I think our base is pretty good.

"We sort of haven't chased the track evolution that well this year, up until probably Darwin, and this round I felt like we got a lot more on top of it.

"There was obviously a lot of talk about me going into the round, and I got asked a lot of questions, and there was a lot of speculation and whatnot.

"It was obviously good to just go into that session and enjoy driving the car again, it was nice to drive.

"I got asked plenty of questions about my back, obviously mentioned that I've been carrying the podcast on my back, and that's the only thing that's caused back pain across the year, so it was good to get that out."

Kostecki's brash claim is backed up by the numbers, having finished top five in every practice session bar one since Taupō. The only exception is Darwin, where he suffered a throttle body issue.

Whilst practice speed is one thing, it's being able to back it up in qualifying that counts most. With six poles for the season to date, Kostecki has twice as many as anyone else in the field.

But, the chasing pack is closing, with Payne and most notably Cam Waters also coming to life since the Darwin Triple Crown. Kostecki is wary that he is part of a new 'Big Three'.

"Going into Friday qualy, I was pretty stoked to get pole for that one, only just, it was so tight. It was so tight between me and Cam in that one," Kostecki added.

"I was a little surprised to be honest with that one, I didn't think we were that hooked up in that session, just sort of snuck in there, I think Cam made a mistake on his run.

"The top three, obviously it's been myself, Cam, and Matt, we're the top three in the championship at the moment minus Broc, Broc is the only one missing.

"We've sort of been the benchmark for qualifying as of late I would say, it's been either one of us on the front row which has been pretty interesting, because it's been so tight.

"I haven't been off the front row since Darwin I believe."

Kostecki will resume his 2026 campaign at the Bosch Power Tools Perth Super 440.