Brodie Kostecki has propelled the Shell V-Power Racing Team back to victory lane, clinching a win at the NTI Townsville 500 sprint. The 2023 Supercars champion started from pole and fended off Cam Waters to secure his first victory of the season, marking a significant achievement for Ford and Dick Johnson Racing’s first win since the last Townsville 500.
The win is particularly momentous for Kostecki, who became the eighth different winner of the current season. Team 18’s Anton De Pasquale completed the podium in third place. Meanwhile, Penrite Racing’s Matt Payne’s fourth-place finish allowed him to leapfrog Will Brown into second in the championship standings, albeit by a mere five points.
“That felt awesome, the Shell V-Power Mustang was on fire today,” Kostecki remarked. “I had Cam breathing down my neck the whole race, I know I couldn’t make a mistake. What an awesome feeling, to get the monkey off the back is just absolutely unreal.”
The Road to Victory
Kostecki’s triumph is not just another win; it marks his first for Ford and only his third victory since becoming the 2023 champion. This win follows a tumultuous 2024 season, where Kostecki’s mysterious absence from the first two races for Erebus and subsequent fallout with the team made headlines.
The race itself was a thrilling spectacle. Kostecki and Waters battled fiercely from the start, with Kostecki securing a clear lead through the hairpin. Behind them, De Pasquale overtook Payne for fourth, while Jaxon Evans faced setbacks after a collision with teammate Macauley Jones.
Strategic Moves and Key Battles
As the race progressed, strategic pit stops played a crucial role. Walkinshaw Andretti United’s early decision to bring Ryan Wood out of traffic on lap 9 was a notable move. Kostecki, meanwhile, extended his lead, leaving Waters trailing by two seconds by lap 13.
Further down the field, Chaz Mostert’s aggressive maneuvering helped Broc Feeney gain ground, moving up to ninth by lap 14. The pit stop strategies continued to shake up the order, with Tickford bringing Waters in with 12 laps to go, and Kostecki following suit shortly after.
Final Dash and Implications
The final laps saw a thrilling dash to the finish. Kostecki maintained his lead over Waters, ultimately securing a 4.3158-second victory, the ninth of his career. The race concluded with Waters and De Pasquale completing the podium, while Payne, Fullwood, Mostert, Davison, Feeney, Le Brocq, and Brown rounded out the top ten.
“I’ve been pretty fortunate to win some pretty cool races, but this feels real special,” Kostecki added, reflecting on his journey and the significance of this win.
The victory not only boosts Kostecki’s standing but also adds a new chapter to his career, following a season filled with challenges and changes. As the Supercars series continues, fans and teams alike will be watching closely to see how the championship unfolds.
Supercars action resumes with Boost Mobile Qualifying and the Top Ten Shootout, setting the stage for the next race. The competitive spirit and strategic nuances of the series promise more excitement as the season progresses.
