Brodie Kostecki has returned to the winner’s circle, clinching his first victory of the 2023 Supercars season at the NTI Townsville 500. Racing for the Shell V-Power Racing Team, Kostecki started from pole position and successfully held off challenges from rival Cam Waters throughout the race. This win marks a significant milestone for Kostecki, who had faced challenges earlier in the year, including a tumultuous relationship with his previous team, Erebus.
Kostecki’s triumph at the Townsville event is not only his first for Ford but also the first victory for Dick Johnson Racing since the 2022 edition of the Townsville 500. With this win, Kostecki becomes the eighth different driver to claim victory in the 2023 season, illustrating the competitive nature of this year’s championship.
In a race that captivated fans, Kostecki completed the 500-kilometre sprint with a final margin of 4.3158 seconds ahead of Waters, who finished in second place. Anton De Pasquale from Team 18 secured the third podium spot, rounding out a thrilling race. Kostecki’s victory adds to his impressive resume, bringing his career total to nine wins in Supercars.
Kostecki expressed his excitement following the race, stating, “That felt awesome; the Shell V-Power Mustang was on fire today. I had Cam breathing down my neck the whole race; I knew I couldn’t make a mistake. What an awesome feeling, to get the monkey off the back is just absolutely unreal. I’ve been pretty fortunate to win some pretty cool races, but this feels really special.”
The race unfolded with Kostecki and Waters battling fiercely from the start. Kostecki gained a clear lead, reaching 1.5 seconds ahead by lap 10. Behind them, the race was marked by aggressive driving, with Matt Payne from Penrite Racing climbing to fourth place, earning enough points to overtake Will Brown for second in the championship standings, albeit by just five points. Brown, who started in 20th position, managed to recover to finish 10th, while Broc Feeney moved from 14th to eighth.
The race was not without its incidents. A collision between teammates James Courtney and Aaron Cameron highlighted the intense competition, resulting in Courtney being forced into the grass at Turn 6. Additionally, a notable early incident involved Andre Heimgartner and Brown, who made significant contact at Turn 3.
As the race progressed, teams began strategizing their pit stops. Kostecki maintained a commanding lead, with Waters remaining in pursuit. The pit stops proved critical, with each team attempting to gain an advantage. Kostecki’s team executed a well-timed stop that allowed him to return to the track with a substantial lead over Waters.
With only nine laps remaining, the tension heightened between Kostecki and Waters, who were separated by just 1.4 seconds. Meanwhile, De Pasquale, Payne, and other competitors jostled for position, making the final laps a showcase of skill and determination. Feeney’s efforts to advance were notable, as he moved past multiple drivers, including Brown and Jack Le Brocq.
The race concluded with Kostecki firmly in control, crossing the finish line to secure his long-awaited victory. Following him were Waters and De Pasquale, cementing their standings in the championship.
Supercars action continues, with the next qualifying session scheduled for Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 10:00 AEST, leading up to Race 21 at 15:00 the same day. Fans can catch all the action live on Kayo Sports, which remains the exclusive broadcaster of the Supercars Championship.
