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The Advertiser
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Why James Courtney cried after Supercars podium finish
James Courtney has already won a Supercars championship, but it was his third-place finish in Perth that brought him to tears. The 2010 champion finally ended his two-year podium drought with a spirited drive in the final sprint race at Wanneroo Raceway on Sunday. After qualifying 13th, the 44-year-old had found himself in a position to vie for the podium when Erebus rookie Cooper Murray brought out the yellow flag in the final 20 laps of the 200km race. Murray's Chevrolet Camaro had come to a sudden halt after a mechanical failure. Courtney showed his experience in the Blanchard Racing Team car and overtook in-form drivers Cam Waters and Ryan Wood to follow second-placed Matt Payne to the podium. Championship leader Broc Feeney took back-to-back victories, but his feat was largely overshadowed by fan favourite Courtney's first podium since 2023 - claimed at the same racetrack. Courtney was driving for Tickford when he last finished in the top three. His last race win was in 2016. Well aware it's been a long time between drinks, Courtney says his podium finish is made even more special after "head-scratching and soul-searching" following dismal bottom-five results in New Zealand. He gifted Blanchard Racing their first podium result since the team's entry in 2021. Courtney wasn't the only driver to break through for a milestone, with second-year racer Wood claiming his first career win earlier in the weekend. "I couldn't have been prouder of everyone. I got so emotional," Courtney said. "I felt like I probably looked like Woody with his first win, but it was me crying for a third. "It's been pretty dark without the lights on for a while, but we've managed to get the headlights back up and heading in the right direction. "It's like being an alcoholic. You have to admit that, yeah, you've got a problem before you can fix it." Team principal Tim Blanchard was just as relieved. "The last 12 months since going to two cars has been a real struggle," Blanchard said. "We've had some really challenging times. At times, we question why we're doing this. "James kept making me come back." Confident his best hasn't left him yet, Courtney is bent on finishing his final full-time season on a high. The western Sydney product is set for life as a real estate agent after calling time on his career last year. He made his debut in 2005 for Holden Racing Team as a co-driver before joining full-time the following season for Stone Brothers Racing Courtney hasn't ruled out returning to co-driving. "Might just mic drop it and never be seen again," Courtney joked. "To be able to hopefully finish on a high and walk away from it when you're competitive, I don't want to be that guy where everyone's quietly saying, 'You need to pack it in'. "I can pretty comfortably take off my hat at the end of this, happy with what I've done, and don't feel that I haven't achieved or need to do anything more." Supercars heads to Darwin next from June 20 to 22, with Feeney holding a 72-point lead over reigning champion Will Brown. James Courtney has already won a Supercars championship, but it was his third-place finish in Perth that brought him to tears. The 2010 champion finally ended his two-year podium drought with a spirited drive in the final sprint race at Wanneroo Raceway on Sunday. After qualifying 13th, the 44-year-old had found himself in a position to vie for the podium when Erebus rookie Cooper Murray brought out the yellow flag in the final 20 laps of the 200km race. Murray's Chevrolet Camaro had come to a sudden halt after a mechanical failure. Courtney showed his experience in the Blanchard Racing Team car and overtook in-form drivers Cam Waters and Ryan Wood to follow second-placed Matt Payne to the podium. Championship leader Broc Feeney took back-to-back victories, but his feat was largely overshadowed by fan favourite Courtney's first podium since 2023 - claimed at the same racetrack. Courtney was driving for Tickford when he last finished in the top three. His last race win was in 2016. Well aware it's been a long time between drinks, Courtney says his podium finish is made even more special after "head-scratching and soul-searching" following dismal bottom-five results in New Zealand. He gifted Blanchard Racing their first podium result since the team's entry in 2021. Courtney wasn't the only driver to break through for a milestone, with second-year racer Wood claiming his first career win earlier in the weekend. "I couldn't have been prouder of everyone. I got so emotional," Courtney said. "I felt like I probably looked like Woody with his first win, but it was me crying for a third. "It's been pretty dark without the lights on for a while, but we've managed to get the headlights back up and heading in the right direction. "It's like being an alcoholic. You have to admit that, yeah, you've got a problem before you can fix it." Team principal Tim Blanchard was just as relieved. "The last 12 months since going to two cars has been a real struggle," Blanchard said. "We've had some really challenging times. At times, we question why we're doing this. "James kept making me come back." Confident his best hasn't left him yet, Courtney is bent on finishing his final full-time season on a high. The western Sydney product is set for life as a real estate agent after calling time on his career last year. He made his debut in 2005 for Holden Racing Team as a co-driver before joining full-time the following season for Stone Brothers Racing Courtney hasn't ruled out returning to co-driving. "Might just mic drop it and never be seen again," Courtney joked. "To be able to hopefully finish on a high and walk away from it when you're competitive, I don't want to be that guy where everyone's quietly saying, 'You need to pack it in'. "I can pretty comfortably take off my hat at the end of this, happy with what I've done, and don't feel that I haven't achieved or need to do anything more." Supercars heads to Darwin next from June 20 to 22, with Feeney holding a 72-point lead over reigning champion Will Brown. James Courtney has already won a Supercars championship, but it was his third-place finish in Perth that brought him to tears. The 2010 champion finally ended his two-year podium drought with a spirited drive in the final sprint race at Wanneroo Raceway on Sunday. After qualifying 13th, the 44-year-old had found himself in a position to vie for the podium when Erebus rookie Cooper Murray brought out the yellow flag in the final 20 laps of the 200km race. Murray's Chevrolet Camaro had come to a sudden halt after a mechanical failure. Courtney showed his experience in the Blanchard Racing Team car and overtook in-form drivers Cam Waters and Ryan Wood to follow second-placed Matt Payne to the podium. Championship leader Broc Feeney took back-to-back victories, but his feat was largely overshadowed by fan favourite Courtney's first podium since 2023 - claimed at the same racetrack. Courtney was driving for Tickford when he last finished in the top three. His last race win was in 2016. Well aware it's been a long time between drinks, Courtney says his podium finish is made even more special after "head-scratching and soul-searching" following dismal bottom-five results in New Zealand. He gifted Blanchard Racing their first podium result since the team's entry in 2021. Courtney wasn't the only driver to break through for a milestone, with second-year racer Wood claiming his first career win earlier in the weekend. "I couldn't have been prouder of everyone. I got so emotional," Courtney said. "I felt like I probably looked like Woody with his first win, but it was me crying for a third. "It's been pretty dark without the lights on for a while, but we've managed to get the headlights back up and heading in the right direction. "It's like being an alcoholic. You have to admit that, yeah, you've got a problem before you can fix it." Team principal Tim Blanchard was just as relieved. "The last 12 months since going to two cars has been a real struggle," Blanchard said. "We've had some really challenging times. At times, we question why we're doing this. "James kept making me come back." Confident his best hasn't left him yet, Courtney is bent on finishing his final full-time season on a high. The western Sydney product is set for life as a real estate agent after calling time on his career last year. He made his debut in 2005 for Holden Racing Team as a co-driver before joining full-time the following season for Stone Brothers Racing Courtney hasn't ruled out returning to co-driving. "Might just mic drop it and never be seen again," Courtney joked. "To be able to hopefully finish on a high and walk away from it when you're competitive, I don't want to be that guy where everyone's quietly saying, 'You need to pack it in'. "I can pretty comfortably take off my hat at the end of this, happy with what I've done, and don't feel that I haven't achieved or need to do anything more." Supercars heads to Darwin next from June 20 to 22, with Feeney holding a 72-point lead over reigning champion Will Brown.
West Australian
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- West Australian
Why James Courtney cried after Supercars podium finish
James Courtney has already won a Supercars championship, but it was his third-place finish in Perth that brought him to tears. The 2010 champion finally ended his two-year podium drought with a spirited drive in the final sprint race at Wanneroo Raceway on Sunday. After qualifying 13th, the 44-year-old had found himself in a position to vie for the podium when Erebus rookie Cooper Murray brought out the yellow flag in the final 20 laps of the 200km race. Murray's Chevrolet Camaro had come to a sudden halt after a mechanical failure. Courtney showed his experience in the Blanchard Racing Team car and overtook in-form drivers Cam Waters and Ryan Wood to follow second-placed Matt Payne to the podium. Championship leader Broc Feeney took back-to-back victories, but his feat was largely overshadowed by fan favourite Courtney's first podium since 2023 - claimed at the same racetrack. Courtney was driving for Tickford when he last finished in the top three. His last race win was in 2016. Well aware it's been a long time between drinks, Courtney says his podium finish is made even more special after "head-scratching and soul-searching" following dismal bottom-five results in New Zealand. He gifted Blanchard Racing their first podium result since the team's entry in 2021. Courtney wasn't the only driver to break through for a milestone, with second-year racer Wood claiming his first career win earlier in the weekend. "I couldn't have been prouder of everyone. I got so emotional," Courtney said. "I felt like I probably looked like Woody with his first win, but it was me crying for a third. "It's been pretty dark without the lights on for a while, but we've managed to get the headlights back up and heading in the right direction. "It's like being an alcoholic. You have to admit that, yeah, you've got a problem before you can fix it." Team principal Tim Blanchard was just as relieved. "The last 12 months since going to two cars has been a real struggle," Blanchard said. "We've had some really challenging times. At times, we question why we're doing this. "James kept making me come back." Confident his best hasn't left him yet, Courtney is bent on finishing his final full-time season on a high. The western Sydney product is set for life as a real estate agent after calling time on his career last year. He made his debut in 2005 for Holden Racing Team as a co-driver before joining full-time the following season for Stone Brothers Racing Courtney hasn't ruled out returning to co-driving. "Might just mic drop it and never be seen again," Courtney joked. "To be able to hopefully finish on a high and walk away from it when you're competitive, I don't want to be that guy where everyone's quietly saying, 'You need to pack it in'. "I can pretty comfortably take off my hat at the end of this, happy with what I've done, and don't feel that I haven't achieved or need to do anything more." Supercars heads to Darwin next from June 20 to 22, with Feeney holding a 72-point lead over reigning champion Will Brown.
Perth Now
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Why James Courtney cried after Supercars podium finish
James Courtney has already won a Supercars championship, but it was his third-place finish in Perth that brought him to tears. The 2010 champion finally ended his two-year podium drought with a spirited drive in the final sprint race at Wanneroo Raceway on Sunday. After qualifying 13th, the 44-year-old had found himself in a position to vie for the podium when Erebus rookie Cooper Murray brought out the yellow flag in the final 20 laps of the 200km race. Murray's Chevrolet Camaro had come to a sudden halt after a mechanical failure. Courtney showed his experience in the Blanchard Racing Team car and overtook in-form drivers Cam Waters and Ryan Wood to follow second-placed Matt Payne to the podium. Championship leader Broc Feeney took back-to-back victories, but his feat was largely overshadowed by fan favourite Courtney's first podium since 2023 - claimed at the same racetrack. Courtney was driving for Tickford when he last finished in the top three. His last race win was in 2016. Well aware it's been a long time between drinks, Courtney says his podium finish is made even more special after "head-scratching and soul-searching" following dismal bottom-five results in New Zealand. He gifted Blanchard Racing their first podium result since the team's entry in 2021. Courtney wasn't the only driver to break through for a milestone, with second-year racer Wood claiming his first career win earlier in the weekend. "I couldn't have been prouder of everyone. I got so emotional," Courtney said. "I felt like I probably looked like Woody with his first win, but it was me crying for a third. "It's been pretty dark without the lights on for a while, but we've managed to get the headlights back up and heading in the right direction. "It's like being an alcoholic. You have to admit that, yeah, you've got a problem before you can fix it." Team principal Tim Blanchard was just as relieved. "The last 12 months since going to two cars has been a real struggle," Blanchard said. "We've had some really challenging times. At times, we question why we're doing this. "James kept making me come back." Confident his best hasn't left him yet, Courtney is bent on finishing his final full-time season on a high. The western Sydney product is set for life as a real estate agent after calling time on his career last year. He made his debut in 2005 for Holden Racing Team as a co-driver before joining full-time the following season for Stone Brothers Racing Courtney hasn't ruled out returning to co-driving. "Might just mic drop it and never be seen again," Courtney joked. "To be able to hopefully finish on a high and walk away from it when you're competitive, I don't want to be that guy where everyone's quietly saying, 'You need to pack it in'. "I can pretty comfortably take off my hat at the end of this, happy with what I've done, and don't feel that I haven't achieved or need to do anything more." Supercars heads to Darwin next from June 20 to 22, with Feeney holding a 72-point lead over reigning champion Will Brown.
The Advertiser
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Flawless Feeney too fast with Perth back-to-back wins
Supercars championship leader Broc Feeney will leave Perth with a pair of victories after a near-flawless display in the final sprint race. Triple Eight ace Feeney survived late drama as he led from start to finish across the 83-lap, 200km race at Wanneroo Raceway on Sunday. It was the 22-year-old's fifth win of the season, adding to his haul of six poles and eight podiums. A safety car with 20 laps remaining threatened to cause chaos for Feeney. The first yellow flag of the weekend was brought out when Erebus rookie Cooper Murray came to a halt on the way to turn six after a suspected mechanical failure. It set up a re-staging of Feeney's showdown with Matt Payne in Tasmania, where the Grove Racing driver won by just 0.0550 seconds. Feeney was unwilling to lose to Payne again and he flaunted blistering pace to win by 0.5671 seconds. "To have the race like we did there, it was pretty - I shouldn't say smooth sailing - but a lot less stressful than it was at the end of the race," Feeney said. Triple Eight team principal Jamie Whincup couldn't say the same. "I was having deja vu, it's going to happen again," Whincup said. "I was just out front yelling ... I was having nightmares." James Courtney was the biggest beneficiary of the yellow flag, crossing the line third after qualifying 13th. It was a surprise podium for one-time Supercars champion Courtney, whose best result this year in the Blanchard Racing Team car was ninth in Tasmania. It is also Blanchard Racing's maiden podium since the team's entry in 2021. "I got so emotional," Courtney said. "It was me crying for a third." Tickford star Cam Waters was unlucky to finish fourth after starting in the first row with Feeney. Ryan Wood, after breaking through for an emotional maiden Supercars win the day before, had been as high as second before being ruled out of the race after a tangle with James Golding. PremiAir Nulon Racing's Golding had run wide at turn one with eight laps to go, allowing Wood to move into fifth. But Golding was determined to regain his spot and ended up running both cars off when they collided side-on. Golding, who finished 22nd, was slapped with a drive-through penalty for the incident. Reigning champion Will Brown was fifth after another hairy moment with Golding early in the race. Golding had been fourth and assertively defending his position when the nose of Brown's Triple Eight car hit his right rear and sent him wide at turn seven. Meanwhile, Wood's teammate Chaz Mostert was sixth after qualifying in 14th. Local product Brodie Kostecki was 11th after his hopes of a home victory were dashed when a poor qualifying effort condemned him to 15th. Cam Hill, after qualifying seventh, endured a nightmare start when his Matt Stone Racing car stalled at lights out. Suffering a battery issue, his car had to be towed back to pit lane. Hill was able to join the race and finished last. RACE 16 RESULTS: 1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight Race Engineering) 2. Matt Payne (Grove Racing) 3. James Courtney (Blanchard Racing Team) 4. Cam Waters (Tickford Racing) 5. Will Brown (Triple Eight) CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: 1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) 2. Will Brown (Triple Eight) 3. Matt Payne (Grove) 4. Cam Waters (Tickford) 5. Chaz Mostert (WAU) Supercars championship leader Broc Feeney will leave Perth with a pair of victories after a near-flawless display in the final sprint race. Triple Eight ace Feeney survived late drama as he led from start to finish across the 83-lap, 200km race at Wanneroo Raceway on Sunday. It was the 22-year-old's fifth win of the season, adding to his haul of six poles and eight podiums. A safety car with 20 laps remaining threatened to cause chaos for Feeney. The first yellow flag of the weekend was brought out when Erebus rookie Cooper Murray came to a halt on the way to turn six after a suspected mechanical failure. It set up a re-staging of Feeney's showdown with Matt Payne in Tasmania, where the Grove Racing driver won by just 0.0550 seconds. Feeney was unwilling to lose to Payne again and he flaunted blistering pace to win by 0.5671 seconds. "To have the race like we did there, it was pretty - I shouldn't say smooth sailing - but a lot less stressful than it was at the end of the race," Feeney said. Triple Eight team principal Jamie Whincup couldn't say the same. "I was having deja vu, it's going to happen again," Whincup said. "I was just out front yelling ... I was having nightmares." James Courtney was the biggest beneficiary of the yellow flag, crossing the line third after qualifying 13th. It was a surprise podium for one-time Supercars champion Courtney, whose best result this year in the Blanchard Racing Team car was ninth in Tasmania. It is also Blanchard Racing's maiden podium since the team's entry in 2021. "I got so emotional," Courtney said. "It was me crying for a third." Tickford star Cam Waters was unlucky to finish fourth after starting in the first row with Feeney. Ryan Wood, after breaking through for an emotional maiden Supercars win the day before, had been as high as second before being ruled out of the race after a tangle with James Golding. PremiAir Nulon Racing's Golding had run wide at turn one with eight laps to go, allowing Wood to move into fifth. But Golding was determined to regain his spot and ended up running both cars off when they collided side-on. Golding, who finished 22nd, was slapped with a drive-through penalty for the incident. Reigning champion Will Brown was fifth after another hairy moment with Golding early in the race. Golding had been fourth and assertively defending his position when the nose of Brown's Triple Eight car hit his right rear and sent him wide at turn seven. Meanwhile, Wood's teammate Chaz Mostert was sixth after qualifying in 14th. Local product Brodie Kostecki was 11th after his hopes of a home victory were dashed when a poor qualifying effort condemned him to 15th. Cam Hill, after qualifying seventh, endured a nightmare start when his Matt Stone Racing car stalled at lights out. Suffering a battery issue, his car had to be towed back to pit lane. Hill was able to join the race and finished last. RACE 16 RESULTS: 1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight Race Engineering) 2. Matt Payne (Grove Racing) 3. James Courtney (Blanchard Racing Team) 4. Cam Waters (Tickford Racing) 5. Will Brown (Triple Eight) CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: 1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) 2. Will Brown (Triple Eight) 3. Matt Payne (Grove) 4. Cam Waters (Tickford) 5. Chaz Mostert (WAU) Supercars championship leader Broc Feeney will leave Perth with a pair of victories after a near-flawless display in the final sprint race. Triple Eight ace Feeney survived late drama as he led from start to finish across the 83-lap, 200km race at Wanneroo Raceway on Sunday. It was the 22-year-old's fifth win of the season, adding to his haul of six poles and eight podiums. A safety car with 20 laps remaining threatened to cause chaos for Feeney. The first yellow flag of the weekend was brought out when Erebus rookie Cooper Murray came to a halt on the way to turn six after a suspected mechanical failure. It set up a re-staging of Feeney's showdown with Matt Payne in Tasmania, where the Grove Racing driver won by just 0.0550 seconds. Feeney was unwilling to lose to Payne again and he flaunted blistering pace to win by 0.5671 seconds. "To have the race like we did there, it was pretty - I shouldn't say smooth sailing - but a lot less stressful than it was at the end of the race," Feeney said. Triple Eight team principal Jamie Whincup couldn't say the same. "I was having deja vu, it's going to happen again," Whincup said. "I was just out front yelling ... I was having nightmares." James Courtney was the biggest beneficiary of the yellow flag, crossing the line third after qualifying 13th. It was a surprise podium for one-time Supercars champion Courtney, whose best result this year in the Blanchard Racing Team car was ninth in Tasmania. It is also Blanchard Racing's maiden podium since the team's entry in 2021. "I got so emotional," Courtney said. "It was me crying for a third." Tickford star Cam Waters was unlucky to finish fourth after starting in the first row with Feeney. Ryan Wood, after breaking through for an emotional maiden Supercars win the day before, had been as high as second before being ruled out of the race after a tangle with James Golding. PremiAir Nulon Racing's Golding had run wide at turn one with eight laps to go, allowing Wood to move into fifth. But Golding was determined to regain his spot and ended up running both cars off when they collided side-on. Golding, who finished 22nd, was slapped with a drive-through penalty for the incident. Reigning champion Will Brown was fifth after another hairy moment with Golding early in the race. Golding had been fourth and assertively defending his position when the nose of Brown's Triple Eight car hit his right rear and sent him wide at turn seven. Meanwhile, Wood's teammate Chaz Mostert was sixth after qualifying in 14th. Local product Brodie Kostecki was 11th after his hopes of a home victory were dashed when a poor qualifying effort condemned him to 15th. Cam Hill, after qualifying seventh, endured a nightmare start when his Matt Stone Racing car stalled at lights out. Suffering a battery issue, his car had to be towed back to pit lane. Hill was able to join the race and finished last. RACE 16 RESULTS: 1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight Race Engineering) 2. Matt Payne (Grove Racing) 3. James Courtney (Blanchard Racing Team) 4. Cam Waters (Tickford Racing) 5. Will Brown (Triple Eight) CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: 1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) 2. Will Brown (Triple Eight) 3. Matt Payne (Grove) 4. Cam Waters (Tickford) 5. Chaz Mostert (WAU)
7NEWS
a day ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Flawless Broc Feeney too fast with back-to-back Perth Supercars wins
Supercars championship leader Broc Feeney will leave Perth with a pair of victories after a near-flawless display in the final sprint race. Triple Eight ace Feeney survived late drama as he led from start to finish across the 83-lap, 200km race at Wanneroo Raceway on Sunday. It was the 22-year-old's fifth win of the season, adding to his haul of six poles and eight podiums. A safety car with 20 laps remaining threatened to cause chaos for Feeney. The first yellow flag of the weekend was brought out when Erebus rookie Cooper Murray came to a halt on the way to turn six after a suspected mechanical failure. It set up a re-staging of Feeney's showdown with Matt Payne in Tasmania, where the Grove Racing driver won by just 0.0550 seconds. Feeney was unwilling to lose to Payne again and he flaunted blistering pace to win by 0.5671 seconds. James Courtney was the biggest beneficiary of the yellow flag, crossing the line third after qualifying 13th. It was a surprise podium for one-time Supercars champion Courtney, whose best result in the Blanchard Racing Team car was ninth in Tasmania. Tickford star Cam Waters was unlucky to finish fourth after starting in the first row with Feeney. Ryan Wood, after breaking through for an emotional maiden Supercars win the day before, had been as high as second before being ruled out of the race after a tangle with James Golding. PremiAir Nulon Racing's Golding had run wide at turn one with eight laps to go, allowing Wood to move into fifth. But Golding was determined to regain his spot and ended up running both cars off when they collided side-on. Golding, who finished 22nd, was slapped with a drive-through penalty for the incident. 'Are you serious?!' Wood said on the team radio. Reigning champion Will Brown was fifth after another hairy moment with Golding early in the race. Golding had been fourth and assertively defending his position when the nose of Brown's Triple Eight car hit his right rear and sent him wide at turn seven. Meanwhile, Wood's teammate Chaz Mostert was sixth after qualifying in 14th. Mostert finished third in the opening two sprints. Local product Brodie Kostecki was 11th after his hopes of a home victory were dashed when a poor qualifying effort condemned him to 15th. Kostecki finished the two opening sprints in Perth in fifth and seventh. Cam Hill, after qualifying seventh, endured a nightmare start when his Matt Stone Racing car stalled at lights out. Suffering a battery issue, his car had to be towed back to pit lane. Hill was able to join the race and finished last. RACE 16 RESULTS: 1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight Race Engineering) 2. Matt Payne (Grove Racing) 3. James Courtney (Blanchard Racing Team) 4. Cam Waters (Tickford Racing) 5. Will Brown (Triple Eight) CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: 1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) 2. Will Brown (Triple Eight) 3. Matt Payne (Grove) 4. Cam Waters (Tickford) 5. Chaz Mostert (WAU)
