Kai Allen delivered an accomplished drive to claim a dominant Race 18 victory at the Darwin Triple Crown, leading home Cam Waters and Brodie Kostecki.

The 20-year-old secured his second win of the 2026 season after Penrite Racing executed an aggressive two-stop strategy. A short fuel fill during Allen’s first stop allowed him to attack throughout the middle stint before building enough time for a longer final service.

Pole-sitter Waters controlled the opening stages, while Matt Payne attracted attention after moving before the starting lights went out. Payne passed Kostecki for second on Lap 2 but was handed a five-second penalty for the jump start.

Ryan Wood became the race’s first retirement after contact with Declan Fraser damaged his Toyota’s power steering. A later water-pump failure released fluid onto the circuit at Turn 5, catching out teammate Chaz Mostert and dropping him from fourth to 14th.

Payne stopped early on Lap 19 to serve his penalty before finding pace on fresh tyres. Waters responded on Lap 25, emerging ahead of Payne after defending aggressively. Officials later showed Waters a bad sportsmanship flag for moving under brakes.

Allen’s shorter first stop placed him in an attacking position as Waters began struggling with tyre life. The young Ford driver closed rapidly before Waters ran wide at Turn 7 on Lap 41, allowing Allen to sweep into the lead.

Knowing his final stop would take longer, Allen immediately pushed to create a safety margin. Kostecki moved past a fading Payne at the final corner, while Waters stopped on Lap 47 in an attempt to regain the lead.

Allen completed his final service one lap later and returned to the circuit with a three-second advantage. From there, he controlled the closing stages and extended the gap while Waters defended second from Kostecki.

Kostecki briefly threatened Waters with an attack at Turn 5, but the battle faded as the unwell Dick Johnson Racing driver managed his tyres for a final push. Allen crossed the line 8.6 seconds clear to complete a commanding strategic victory.

Waters held second ahead of Kostecki, who required medical attention after the race due to illness and a drinks-system problem. Payne finished fourth ahead of Will Brown, while Mostert recovered to sixth in his 400th Supercars start.

Broc Feeney, Anton De Pasquale, Jack Le Brocq and Jayden Ojeda completed the top ten as Allen celebrated an impressive victory for Penrite Racing.

Allen masters Darwin strategy to claim dominant Race 18 victory

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