Triple Eight responds with changes after costly Feeney issue

Broc Feeney will contest Saturday’s 200km race in Taupō with new electrical components in his #88 Red Bull Ampol Mustang after a bizarre moment in Race 8.

The #88 Red Bull Ampol Ford came home fourth in Saturday’s opener, having challenged eventual winner Brodie Kostecki off the line.

Feeney dropped behind teammate Will Brown in the opening laps, and held third before he slowed on lap 16. The #88 Mustang fell behind Chaz Mostert, Matt Payne and Ryan Wood, before coming into pit lane for his first stop.

Feeney was left confused over team radio, before clashing with 2025 championship rival Mostert on the run home to renew Triple Eight/Walkinshaw TWG hostilities.

Feeney won out in the flashpoint with Mostert, but was unable to keep the fast-finishing Wood behind.

Given the right turnaround between the two races, Triple Eight did not complete an engine change. The team has instead replaced electrical componentry that was the suspected cause of the engine cut-out.

It was the second mechanical headache for Feeney in the last six months, after an engine misfire troubled his final race of 2025.

Feeney moved to second in the championship after a torrid run for Cam Waters, who came home 21st after a series of run-ins with Andre Heimgartner.

Sunday’s 200km race is worth 140 points for the winner, with Feeney 61 points behind leader Kostecki, and 32 ahead of Waters. Feeney will start third, behind pole man Wood and teammate Will Brown.

The 60-lap race will commence at 3:30pm local time/1:30pm AEST.