Broc Feeney capped the Gold Coast 500 with a Sunday win, while a late strategy twist reshaped the Supercars Finals Series field heading to Sandown. The Triple Eight driver controlled the 85-lap race to beat Brodie Kostecki by nearly seven seconds, taking a victory at his home event.
Credit: Motorsport Australia
Feeney made a start from the front, holding off teammate Will Brown into the chicane. Behind them, Anton De Pasquale and Kai Allen made contact, leaving De Pasquale with a puncture. The damaged tyre shed debris across the straight, bringing out the Safety Car and interrupting the opening stint.
When racing resumed, Feeney remained in control. Kostecki worked his way from fourth into second and threatened to challenge the leader, but Feeney responded after the pit stops and pulled clear. The Dick Johnson Racing driver finished second, with Chaz Mostert completing the podium for Walkinshaw TWG Racing.
Mostert had looked capable of joining the fight for victory after running long on his second stint and gaining a tyre advantage. However, with 15 laps remaining, his team instructed him to let teammate Ryan Wood through as Wood battled for a place in the next Finals round. The call ended Mostert’s chance to chase the leaders, although he reclaimed third as Wood’s position became vulnerable.
Credit: Supercars.com
The drama unfolded in the closing laps. Chevrolet drivers Macauley Jones and Jarrod Hughes made late pit stops, shifting the points battle in De Pasquale’s favour. Hughes’ stop was prompted by a fuel calculation error; Erebus team principal Brad Tremain said the team had put in too little fuel, leaving the car about four laps short. Cooper Murray also stopped late, dropping out of seventh.
De Pasquale finished 14th after his puncture, but that was enough to take the final spot in the top seven and advance to Sandown. Wood was the first Finals driver eliminated, alongside Allen and Jack Le Brocq. The seven moving forward are Matt Payne, Feeney, Kostecki, Mostert, Brown, Cameron Waters and De Pasquale.
Feeney described the win as emotional, celebrating in front of family and friends at his home event. He said the team had worked through a season of ups and downs and had found another gear for the Finals.
The event delivered two contrasting stories: Feeney’s assured victory and a tense points fight settled by late fuel strategy. The Finals now move to Sandown with the title contenders narrowed to seven.