Brodie Kostecki is AU$50,000 (US$32,700) richer after winning the opening race of the Supercars Grand Final on the streets of Adelaide.
THE Dick Johnson Racing The driver took the lead early in the race and powered through the rain until lap 21 of the scheduled 32-lap distance, in the first Friday race in the 26-year history of the Adelaide 500 event.
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The stop was caused when Tickford’s Ford Mustang Thomas Randle hydroplaned into the concrete wall outside Turn 8, pushing a four-tonne barrier back almost a meter. The repairs were carried out quickly, but time ran out, leading authorities to declare the result.
“It got pretty dangerous towards the end of that stint,” Kostecki said after his third win of the season.
“I saw Chaz (Mostert) getting pretty close at the end. I stalled at the start, which was a bit of a bummer and those two guys in front were racing for a championship, so I didn’t want to do anything stupid.”
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Mostert was the best of the four title contenders, quickly taking the lead until Kostecki, who is not in the title fight, overtook him. Mostert was content to follow, especially when Andretti United rickshaw teammate Ryan Wood rose to a protective third place.
“It was going to be pretty tough, I’m happy to stay on black,” Mostert said. “Brodie was pretty quick at the start, then I found my rhythm. After the pit stop, Brode and I almost got stuck in the fence at (turn) four.”
“If it’s a bit wet tomorrow we might have to adjust things a bit. We need a bit more performance, I really hope it’s dry.”
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Point leader Broc Feeney was in fourth place, the Triple Eight Chevrolet Camaro driver wasn’t as comfortable when the track was at its wettest.
The relative positions meant the points leader for most of the season saw seven of the 20 points lead he had brought to Adelaide evaporate. After starting from pole position for the 17th time, a record that eclipsed Scott McLaughlinThe highest rating of 2017, he took the lead. However, Kai Allenone of the other title contenders, took fifth place in his Grove Race Ford – aided by a 15-second penalty to the driver in front of him, Cameron Watersafter contact with another car at the start of the race.
Allen’s Grove Racing teammate Matt Payne was close behind in sixth, ahead André Heimgartner (Brad Jones Racing Chevrolet), Anton De Pasquale (Team 18 Chevrolet) and Will Brown.
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Brown had a rough Friday. He qualified 12th and got off to a good start, but a spin on the opening lap dropped him to the back of the field, from where he performed another of his trademark recovery drives. At the flag, and after Waters was dropped due to the penalty, he was classified in ninth place.
Wildcard NASCAR driver Austin Cindric started 24th of 25 cars and finished 23rd in his Supercars debut for Tickford Racing.
According to the final points system, Feeney still leads but now with 5089 points, ahead of Mostert with 5076 and Brown with 5041. Allen is in fourth place with 5036.
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Supercars and drivers will return to the circuit on Saturday at 10:05 a.m. for qualifying for the 33rd race of the season. The Top 10 Shoot Out is scheduled for 12:35 p.m., with the 78-lap race scheduled for 3:30 p.m. (all times are Australian Central Daylight Time).
Adelaide Supercars – Race 1 Results
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