Rain-hit Adelaide opener shakes up Supercars Championship as Brodie Kostecki secures mega payday
Brodie Kostecki has secured a hefty $50,000 payday after controlling the rain-hit Adelaide Grand Final opener, while in dramatic scenes, Chaz Mostert benefited from a Broc Feeney error to significantly slash his rival’s lead at the top of the Supercars Championship.
Shell V-Power Racing Team driver Kostecki swiftly stole the lead from Ford rival Mostert on lap three, controlling the race until rain closed in over Adelaide.
Mostert’s second-placed finish reduced Feeney’s championship lead from 20 points down to just 13.
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After a rain-delayed start, the lights went out under gloomy skies. Mostert and Feeney immediately traded bumps at Turn 1 and again into Turn 4.
Mostert then briefly threw his Ford down the inside at Turn 9, only to cede the position back to the pole-sitter.
Behind them, Will Brown was tipped into a spin and sent to last by Thomas Randle, who subsequently copped a 15-second penalty.
James Golding also spun at the final corner after a squeeze from Cameron Hill, but both Camaros were able to continue.
Brodie Kostecki leads the pack in Race 32 of the Adelaide Grand Final round. Robert Cianflone via Getty Images
On lap two, Waters challenged Mostert but was passed by Kostecki into Turn 6.
The following lap, Feeney bowled a wide at Turn 4, opening the door for Mostert. Three corners later, Kostecki darted down the inside of Mostert, who offered no fight for the position.
By the close of lap seven, Kostecki had already opened a 1.7s lead over Mostert, while Wood was closing in on Feeney.
However, on Lap 10, Feeney successfully sidestepped Wood at the final corner, though by then, Mostert was a significant 4.3s up the road.
Just as Kostecki commenced Lap 19, the heavens opened over the Adelaide Parklands Circuit.
Though the leaders initially pressed on, Randle slid into the wall at Turn 9, triggering the safety car — at which point Mostert had successfully slashed Kostecki’s lead down to 1.3s.
Thomas Randle stands beside his stricken after crashing out during Race 32 at the Adelaide Grand Final round. Robert Cianflone via Getty Images
Kostecki led the field into pit lane and successfully retained the lead, but as the rain intensified and the train was brought under the control of the safety car, officials opted to halt the race to realign the damaged barriers at Turn 8.
The race was subsequently red-flagged and not restarted, confirming Kostecki as the winner. With over 50 per cent of the race completed, full points were awarded, helping Mostert slash Feeney’s championship lead from 20 points down to 13.
Rounding out the podium were Mostert and Ryan Wood, ahead of Feeney.
The podium for Race 32 at the Adelaide Grand Final round features Ryan Wood, Brodie Kostecki and Chaz Mostert. Daniel Kalisz via Getty Images
A penalty for Cam Waters promoted Kai Allen to fifth and Brown to ninth.
The rest of the top 10 was filled by Matt Payne, Andre Heimgartner, Anton De Pasquale and Will Davison, who made a stellar climb from 25th and last on the grid.
Finishing ninth keeps Brown’s title hopes alive, while Allen also remains in contention.
NASCAR Cup Series star Austin Cindric started and finished 23rd ahead of Murray, while Randle recorded his first DNF since Perth 2023.
The action resumes on Saturday with qualifying at 10:35am (AEDT), followed by the Top Ten Shootout at 1:05pm, ahead of the 78-lap Race 33, which starts at 3:50pm.
