'That’s a cop out': Kostecki returns serve at Cameron over Sydney clash

Brodie Kostecki has returned serve at Aaron Cameron following their divisive clash late in Sunday’s DUNLOP Sydney 500 finale.

Kostecki and Cameron collided at the end of Race 3 disputing fourth position. Cameron finished 17th, while Kostecki was demoted from fourth to 12th with a penalty.

Blanchard Racing Team driver Cameron was critical of the move, saying post-race: “It just doesn’t make sense to me why you would do that.”

Speaking on the broadcast, Cameron suggested that Kostecki was pre-empting a move at Turn 6, and that the incident cost Ford an all-Mustang top five. Cameron also said he was stopped from walking to the DJR garage to talk to Kostecki post-race.

Dick Johnson Racing provided a brief statement to Supercars.com, saying the "collision wasn’t our intention.”

Kostecki shared his version of events on his Lucky Dogs podcast, initially joking: “It’s a bit of a shame at the end. [BRT] actually had to buy some mirrors off of us because they didn’t have enough mirrors, and Aaron still couldn’t use them for the last lap.”

When the topic was revisited later in his podcast, Kostecki covered off each of Cameron’s gripes, and insisted that he was racing for the best position possible.

“He said that I was coming, so he was aware that I was there,” the 2023 Supercars champion said.

“I was using the exit of [Turn] 5, I was blowing out because I didn’t use any track limits. I was blowing out of 5 and he said that I was going to make a move into [Turn] 6 most likely.

“So he disregarded the whole other part of the race track, and was just going to focus on 6 basically, from what he said.

"Then he said why would I bother for fourth, I could understand if it was for a podium. I race for every position and if I wouldn’t, then I wouldn’t be a race car driver. That’s just how it is. We’re employed to get the best finish possible. So that’s just a cop out for one.

“He said that it was going to be top five all Fords, and I ruined that. Like I’m really thinking about the top five being Fords at that point in the race.

“I obviously want Fords to run well, but like I really [don't] give a shit to be honest.”

Kostecki, though, praised the mongrel displayed by Cameron, adding: “Obviously I'm disappointed that it ended like that.

“At the end of the day, it is what it is. He lost the rear on entry as well… I’m not sure why he wouldn’t run tight there for the last lap.

“He said he was going to try and get me back or something, so yeah, that’s good… I rate it. I’ve actually earned a bit more respect for him now after that."

Kostecki and Cameron are fifth and 12th in points heading to Melbourne on March 5-8.