Whincup keeping tabs on Triple Eight in rare absence

Triple Eight Race Engineering is managing life and racing in New Zealand without boss Jamie Whincup, who was a notable absentee in Taupō.

With his Team Principal and Managing Director roles, Whincup is a common fixture in the Supercars paddock, managing his team trackside.

Whincup has overseen the squad since the start of 2022, but first missed a Supercars event as team boss at the 2023 Tasmania SuperSprint, when he travelled to Germany. He also missed last year's trip to New Zealand.

Team Manager Mark Dutton, meanwhile, is sporting a sling for the two New Zealand events after he tore the bicep off his left arm during home works.

Whincup's absence may have been felt in the garage, but his team managed to stay in the fight across the weekend, and claim the teams' championship lead.

Will Brown raced to second in the Taupō opener, before Broc Feeney finished second in the finale. Feeney and Brown moved to second and ninth in the drivers' standings, with Red Bull Ampol Racing seizing the teams' lead.

Ever the race fan, Whincup kept his eye on the action.

“He's certainly been keeping in touch over the weekend,” Feeney said on Supercars' Equip Super Cool Down Lap podcast.

“He sent me a few good messages last night, what to focus on and all that. But he's obviously watching from afar.

“He is staying at home for these couple of weeks and he's got plenty going on.”

Supercars will race on all three days of the ITM Christchurch Super 440, which commences on Friday.