Supercars sophomore claims maiden win, Kostecki shows fight
Supercars sophomore Ryan Wood has sparked emotional celebrations with his maiden race victory as local boy Brodie Kostecki showed signs he may be able to steal his first win of the year in Perth.
Australia's premier motorsport championship made a well-behaved start to the Perth Super 440 at Carco.com.au Raceway in Wanneroo, with not a single flag flown or safety car deployed.
Wood barely put a foot wrong after starting second on the grid, capturing the lead 10 laps in before fending off a roaring finish from reigning champion Will Brown in the final five laps to salute in front of the West Australian faithful.
Kostecki fell two places from his third-place start but showed major improvements after only managing 18th fastest in practice on Friday, a huge boost to his hopes across the weekend.
Wood made the most of the outside line off the starting grid but was outmaneuvered into the first turn as pole-sitter Chaz Mostert held onto the lead.
Kostecki left too much room for championship leader Broc Feeney on the inside to slip out of the podium places off the line.
It forced the Perth boy to settle in behind him, and he steadily lost time in the dirty air while also fending off Will Brown and Matt Payne as they battled behind him.
Mostert's lead evaporated on lap ten of 50, Wood side-by-side with him on the inside through turn seven before making the most of a better exit to capture the lead through turn one.
Feeney was the first to pull the trigger on a pit stop, taking two new tyres in an impressive 3.6-second change on lap 22 and forcing Wood to react.
The move worked perfectly for Feeney, Wood's rear tyres forcing a slow stop to leave the young gun on the race leader's bumper after his rejoin.
The call to leave Mostert out past the halfway mark cost the Mobil1 driver; a slow pit stop dumping him out behind Kostecki in fifth.
However, it was the best possible result for the fans as Mostert and the hometown hero renewed hostilities, going bumper-to-bumper and crisscrossing into and out of turns seven and one.
In the end, Mostert's new set of tyres made the difference, Kostecki unable to win his spot back a second time.
Red Bull teammates Feeney and Will Brown rubbed shoulders as the race reached the pointy end.
And the reigning champion was given the green light to race Feeney, grabbing second with 12 laps to go before making a run at Wood that came up narrowly short.
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The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Highs and lows for Wood as Feeney boosts Supercars lead
Broc Feeney admits his surprise at claiming a victory in Perth after youngster Ryan Wood was cruelly denied back-to-back wins. Wood endured a roller-coaster ride at Wanneroo Raceway after suffering a suspension failure in the second 120km sprint on Saturday, just hours after his maiden race victory. Pole-sitter Wood had given up the lead off the starting line to Tickford's Cam Waters, but proved his mettle by valiantly reclaiming top spot on lap 22. Just as the 21-year-old looked set to cruise to a second victory, he lost control at turn six and ventured into the dirt. He went straight to pit lane after recovering and finished 24th out of the 25 drivers. Triple Eight was the beneficiary of Wood's bad luck, with Feeney and reigning champion Will Brown jumping the pack with masterful use of the undercut. "Probably a little bit surprised to walk away with the win in that one," Feeney said. "Running around in fourth, you probably didn't expect to play out like that." Wood's Walkinshaw Andretti United teammate Chaz Mostert was also in disbelief after finishing third. "Nothing's for certain in this," Mostert said. "Started in 11th, didn't expect to sit here. Who knows? "This championship all year has been a little bit unpredictable." New Zealand product Wood had earlier on Saturday shed tears after crossing the finish line first. "To achieve my lifelong dream just doesn't feel real," Wood said. Wood secured the lead on lap 11 out of 50 after almost forcing pole-sitter Mostert off-track with a dive on the inside on the way to turn seven. He then fought off Feeney after being caught at pit exit with cold tyres, before Brown chased him down across the final 15 laps. In the end, Wood claimed victory with a 0.612-second margin over Brown. Mostert crossed the line third, with Feeney fourth. Wood will have an opportunity to find redemption when qualifying for the final Perth sprint gets under way at 1pm (AEST) on Sunday. RACE 14 RESULTS: 1. Ryan Wood (Walkinshaw Andretti United) 2. Will Brown (Triple Eight Race Engineering) 3. Chaz Mostert (WAU) 4. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) 5. Brodie Kostecki (Dick Johnson Racing) RACE 15 RESULTS: 1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) 2. Will Brown (Triple Eight) 3. Chaz Mostert (WAU) 4. Cam Waters (Tickford Racing) 5. Matt Payne (Grove Racing) CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: 1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) 1036 pts 2. Will Brown (Triple Eight) -27 3. Matt Payne (Grove) -107 4. Cam Waters (Tickford) -117 5. Chaz Mostert (WAU) -251 Broc Feeney admits his surprise at claiming a victory in Perth after youngster Ryan Wood was cruelly denied back-to-back wins. Wood endured a roller-coaster ride at Wanneroo Raceway after suffering a suspension failure in the second 120km sprint on Saturday, just hours after his maiden race victory. Pole-sitter Wood had given up the lead off the starting line to Tickford's Cam Waters, but proved his mettle by valiantly reclaiming top spot on lap 22. Just as the 21-year-old looked set to cruise to a second victory, he lost control at turn six and ventured into the dirt. He went straight to pit lane after recovering and finished 24th out of the 25 drivers. Triple Eight was the beneficiary of Wood's bad luck, with Feeney and reigning champion Will Brown jumping the pack with masterful use of the undercut. "Probably a little bit surprised to walk away with the win in that one," Feeney said. "Running around in fourth, you probably didn't expect to play out like that." Wood's Walkinshaw Andretti United teammate Chaz Mostert was also in disbelief after finishing third. "Nothing's for certain in this," Mostert said. "Started in 11th, didn't expect to sit here. Who knows? "This championship all year has been a little bit unpredictable." New Zealand product Wood had earlier on Saturday shed tears after crossing the finish line first. "To achieve my lifelong dream just doesn't feel real," Wood said. Wood secured the lead on lap 11 out of 50 after almost forcing pole-sitter Mostert off-track with a dive on the inside on the way to turn seven. He then fought off Feeney after being caught at pit exit with cold tyres, before Brown chased him down across the final 15 laps. In the end, Wood claimed victory with a 0.612-second margin over Brown. Mostert crossed the line third, with Feeney fourth. Wood will have an opportunity to find redemption when qualifying for the final Perth sprint gets under way at 1pm (AEST) on Sunday. RACE 14 RESULTS: 1. Ryan Wood (Walkinshaw Andretti United) 2. Will Brown (Triple Eight Race Engineering) 3. Chaz Mostert (WAU) 4. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) 5. Brodie Kostecki (Dick Johnson Racing) RACE 15 RESULTS: 1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) 2. Will Brown (Triple Eight) 3. Chaz Mostert (WAU) 4. Cam Waters (Tickford Racing) 5. Matt Payne (Grove Racing) CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: 1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) 1036 pts 2. Will Brown (Triple Eight) -27 3. Matt Payne (Grove) -107 4. Cam Waters (Tickford) -117 5. Chaz Mostert (WAU) -251 Broc Feeney admits his surprise at claiming a victory in Perth after youngster Ryan Wood was cruelly denied back-to-back wins. Wood endured a roller-coaster ride at Wanneroo Raceway after suffering a suspension failure in the second 120km sprint on Saturday, just hours after his maiden race victory. Pole-sitter Wood had given up the lead off the starting line to Tickford's Cam Waters, but proved his mettle by valiantly reclaiming top spot on lap 22. Just as the 21-year-old looked set to cruise to a second victory, he lost control at turn six and ventured into the dirt. He went straight to pit lane after recovering and finished 24th out of the 25 drivers. Triple Eight was the beneficiary of Wood's bad luck, with Feeney and reigning champion Will Brown jumping the pack with masterful use of the undercut. "Probably a little bit surprised to walk away with the win in that one," Feeney said. "Running around in fourth, you probably didn't expect to play out like that." Wood's Walkinshaw Andretti United teammate Chaz Mostert was also in disbelief after finishing third. "Nothing's for certain in this," Mostert said. "Started in 11th, didn't expect to sit here. Who knows? "This championship all year has been a little bit unpredictable." New Zealand product Wood had earlier on Saturday shed tears after crossing the finish line first. "To achieve my lifelong dream just doesn't feel real," Wood said. Wood secured the lead on lap 11 out of 50 after almost forcing pole-sitter Mostert off-track with a dive on the inside on the way to turn seven. He then fought off Feeney after being caught at pit exit with cold tyres, before Brown chased him down across the final 15 laps. In the end, Wood claimed victory with a 0.612-second margin over Brown. Mostert crossed the line third, with Feeney fourth. Wood will have an opportunity to find redemption when qualifying for the final Perth sprint gets under way at 1pm (AEST) on Sunday. RACE 14 RESULTS: 1. Ryan Wood (Walkinshaw Andretti United) 2. Will Brown (Triple Eight Race Engineering) 3. Chaz Mostert (WAU) 4. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) 5. Brodie Kostecki (Dick Johnson Racing) RACE 15 RESULTS: 1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) 2. Will Brown (Triple Eight) 3. Chaz Mostert (WAU) 4. Cam Waters (Tickford Racing) 5. Matt Payne (Grove Racing) CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: 1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) 1036 pts 2. Will Brown (Triple Eight) -27 3. Matt Payne (Grove) -107 4. Cam Waters (Tickford) -117 5. Chaz Mostert (WAU) -251
7NEWS
13 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Ryan Wood sheds tears after achieving ‘lifelong dream' with maiden Supercars win
Ryan Wood is now a Supercars race winner after the Walkinshaw Andretti United youngster sensationally fought off Triple Eight heavyweights Broc Feeney and Will Brown. Spectacularly holding off his rivals over 50 laps, Wood shed tears after crossing the finish line at Perth's Wanneroo Raceway for his first career win on Saturday. 'To achieve my lifelong dream, just doesn't feel real,' second-year Supercars driver Wood said. The 21-year-old was aggressive from lights out and got the jump on pole-sitter and teammate Chaz Mostert off the starting line for the 120km sprint. The experienced Mostert defended well to hold on to his lead early, but Wood's ascendancy was only a matter of time. Wood clinched the top spot on lap 11 out of 50 after almost forcing Mostert off-track with a dive on the inside on the way to turn seven. But his teammate wasn't Wood's only fierce competition, with Feeney and Brown providing relentless pressure on his tail. Wood first fought off Feeney after being caught at pit exit with cold tyres, before Brown chased him down across the final 15 laps. In the end, Wood claimed victory with a 0.612-second margin over Brown. Mostert crossed the line in third, with Feeney fourth. Feeney had dropped off in pace after putting on only two new tyres, while Brown - after starting in sixth - opted to change four in his pit stop. Wood will have a chance to back up his win when he starts in pole position for Saturday's second sprint at 6.10pm (AEST). RACE 14 RESULTS: 1. Ryan Wood (Walkinshaw Andretti United) 2. Will Brown (Triple Eight Race Engineering) 3. Chaz Mostert (WAU) 4. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) 5. Brodie Kostecki (Dick Johnson Racing) CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: 1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) 2. Will Brown (Triple Eight) 3. Matt Payne (Grove) 4. Cam Waters (Tickford Racing) 5. Chaz Mostert (WAU)
West Australian
14 hours ago
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V8 Supercars: Supercars sophomore Ryan Wood claims maiden win at Perth Super 440, Brodie Kostecki improves
Supercars sophomore Ryan Wood has sparked emotional celebrations with his maiden race victory as local boy Brodie Kostecki showed signs he may be able to steal his first win of the year in Perth. Australia's premier motorsport championship made a well-behaved start to the Perth Super 440 at Raceway in Wanneroo, with not a single flag flown or safety car deployed. Wood barely put a foot wrong after starting second on the grid, capturing the lead 10 laps in before fending off a roaring finish from reigning champion Will Brown in the final five laps to salute in front of the West Australian faithful. Kostecki fell two places from his third-place start but showed major improvements after only managing 18th fastest in practice on Friday, a huge boost to his hopes across the weekend. Wood made the most of the outside line off the starting grid but was outmaneuvered into the first turn as pole-sitter Chaz Mostert held onto the lead. Kostecki left too much room for championship leader Broc Feeney on the inside to slip out of the podium places off the line. It forced the Perth boy to settle in behind him, and he steadily lost time in the dirty air while also fending off Will Brown and Matt Payne as they battled behind him. Mostert's lead evaporated on lap ten of 50, Wood side-by-side with him on the inside through turn seven before making the most of a better exit to capture the lead through turn one. Feeney was the first to pull the trigger on a pit stop, taking two new tyres in an impressive 3.6-second change on lap 22 and forcing Wood to react. The move worked perfectly for Feeney, Wood's rear tyres forcing a slow stop to leave the young gun on the race leader's bumper after his rejoin. The call to leave Mostert out past the halfway mark cost the Mobil1 driver; a slow pit stop dumping him out behind Kostecki in fifth. However, it was the best possible result for the fans as Mostert and the hometown hero renewed hostilities, going bumper-to-bumper and crisscrossing into and out of turns seven and one. In the end, Mostert's new set of tyres made the difference, Kostecki unable to win his spot back a second time. Red Bull teammates Feeney and Will Brown rubbed shoulders as the race reached the pointy end. And the reigning champion was given the green light to race Feeney, grabbing second with 12 laps to go before making a run at Wood that came up narrowly short.
