Winterbottom in, Randle out for Darwin finale

Mark Winterbottom has been called up for the betr Darwin Triple Crown finale, substituting for Thomas Randle.

Winterbottom, who made his last solo Supercars start at the 2024 Adelaide 500, confirmed on the broadcast he will stand in for Randle for Sunday's 70-lapper at Hidden Valley Raceway.

Randle was taken to the on-site medical centre after Saturday's race, having completed all 70 laps in stifling conditions after his cool suit failed on the warm up lap.

The 30-year-old completed event commitments on Sunday morning, and got behind the wheel of the #55 Castrol Mustang for Boost Mobile Qualifying.

Randle fought to 15th in qualifying, but returned to the on-site medical centre post-session. The Victorian has since been ruled out of the race, with 2015 Supercars champion Winterbottom tapped on the shoulder to race.

Tickford Racing co-driver Winterbottom now steps aside from his broadcast commitments, having rejoined the Supercars TV team for this weekend's event. The 39-time race winner is also mentoring Tickford's Super2 drivers on the ground in Darwin.

Winterbottom will start from pit lane, moving all drivers from 16th through 24th up one position.

A Tickford statement reads: "Thomas Randle will not be competing in today's race at Hidden Valley.

"After a cool suit failure in yesterday's race, Thomas was then reassessed after qualifying today, and it was decided that he will take no further part in the weekend.

"Current Tickford Racing driver Mark Winterbottom will be stepping into the #55 Castrol Racing Mustang for Race 19.

"Tickford Racing extends thanks to Dr Carl [Le] and the Supercars Medical Team for providing assistance to Thomas over the weekend."

Winterbottom is the second stand-in driver for Sunday's race, with Todd Hazelwood standing in for the ill Brodie Kostecki for the Shell V-Power Racing Team.

The 70-lap Race 19 will commence at 2:40pm local/3:10pm AEST.