Triple Eight's double whammy in Feeney heartbreak

Broc Feeney's late race heartbreak in the Repco Bathurst 1000 has had a costly effect on Triple Eight's bid for a third consecutive teams' championship.

Feeney and Jamie Whincup were set for a Bathurst podium before a broken gear lever mount scuppered their charge.

Triple Eight still won the day, with Shane van Gisbergen/Richie Stanaway victorious ahead of Brodie Kostecki/David Russell.

Erebus Motorsport and Triple Eight have been first and second since the Beaurepaires Melbourne SuperSprint opener in March.

The two teams have dominated in 2023, winning 20 of the season's 24 races and holding the top four positions in the drivers' championship.

Feeney/Whincup scored just 72 points for their 23rd placing on Sunday, and with both Erebus Camaros finishing in the top eight, the margin between the top two teams blew out from 95 to 179 points.

"But as a team we won the Bathurst 1000 so we should still hold our heads very, very high.

"To win this race is not about having the quickest car, its about all the one-percenters and all the attention to detail to make this a great team."

There are still a maximum of 1152 points to win from four races at the Gold Coast and Adelaide rounds, but further hiccups from the defending champions could deliver Erebus its first teams' championship.

The battle between Erebus and Triple Eight has ebbed and flowed dramatically this year, with the margin as little as 43 points after Brown was wiped out of the Tailem Bend opener.

Feeney was spun out of a top 10 position in the Bend finale, with Erebus' lead blowing back out to 137 points. Triple Eight pegged the margin back to 95 points at Sandown thanks to a one-three result, versus Erebus' two-four.

The 2023 season will resume at the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 on October 27-29.