Multiple championship contenders undone in manic Sydney finale
James Golding Mustang bitten by shock wheel issue in Race 3
Kai Allen taken out of contention late on with wheel issue of his own
Will Brown, Anton De Pasquale collide after Safety Car restart
Five leading drivers' championship hopes have all taken early hits in what was a manic DUNLOP Sydney 500 finale.
While Broc Feeney won a wet-dry thriller, the likes of James Golding, Will Brown, Anton De Pasquale, Kai Allen, Brodie Kostecki and Aaron Cameron all suffered headaches.
After rising to third behind Feeney and Allen, BRT recruit Golding was taken out of contention due to a bizarre wheel problem.
The wheel appeared to machine itself off the car, with Golding effectively nursing his #7 CoolDrive Ford from Turn 7 on three wheels. The wheel finally parted company on the run to Turn 9, triggering the Shannons Safety Car.
It was a bitter footnote on what was a stunning weekend for Golding and Blanchard Racing Team following a breakout performance on Friday.
On the Safety Car restart, rain lashed the circuit, with De Pasquale and Brown going into a spin after clashing with Kostecki between Turns 4 and 5.
De Pasquale, who won Saturday night's race, entered Sunday as championship leader. Brown was handed a 15-second penalty over the incident, adding to his penalty pain from Race 2.
As the race wore on, Allen hounded eventual winner Feeney, only to be brought into the garage in the closing laps due to a front left wheel failure.
It elevated Matt Payne to second, with Cam Waters third after starting 20th.
On the final lap, Kostecki and Cameron collided disputing fourth, the former hit with a 15-second penalty. Kostecki finished 12th, with Cameron 17th.
Brown crossed the line 16th, but was reclassified 18th behind De Pasquale, Reynolds and Cameron. Allen and Golding, meanwhile, were classified 23rd and 24th respectively.
