Gold Coast 500; A race with high expectations for many with finals spots up for grabs.

The results from the weekend were not what we had expected. With only 7 spots available for the next round of the final’s series, the pressure was on.

In first qualifying, one driver was already feeling the pressure with Brodie Kostecki unfortunately crashing into the barrier and severely damaging the car, so much so it had to be taken back to the factory to be fixed overnight. This left his finals hopes hanging in the balance with only a win on race 29 that would save him.

Brodie Kostecki with a massive shunt in qualifying for race 28. Both the drivers and photographers were okay.

Race 28 was full of dramas for various teams, including Ryan Wood who had a great qualifying session, starting on pole position but soon having a leak that would result in him being very far behind the rest of the field and unable to help his finals chances. His teammate however, Chaz Mostert ensured his position in the finals having won race 28. It was going to be difficult given the drivers as well as all the dramas in this race alone, but he managed brilliantly.

Our first safety car period involved loose barrier signage that was needed to be fixed before we could go racing, once we did though it was every man for themselves. Broc Feeney led after the first safety car, ahead of Cam Waters and Chaz Mostert. Not too much later and we had our second safety car, after a crash involving Cooper Murray and Jaxon Evans, luckily both were okay, but damage to both cars meant they would not be able to continue. Our next restart was also clean, with all drivers managing well, although Broc Feeney was quick to make a mistake that saw the top 3 significantly closer. Stanaway also received damage in a later battle fighting between P10 to P14, this would drop him to the back of the field and finishing just ahead of Wood.

Race 28 start at the Gold Coast 500 with Ryan wood leading from Feeney and Payne.

By lap 38, Mostert was finally able to overtake Waters and go for the top spot. It was a clean chase for Mostert as eventually he was able to catch up and overtake Feeney. The gap between Mostert and Feeney quickly grew to almost 3 seconds, which was going to make it difficult to regain that position.

Penalties were given out to car 19, Matt Payne for an unsafe release in the pitlane, which was served about halfway through the race, whilst Will Davison received a 5 second penalty for a driving infringement. But in the end, it was the win for Chaz Mostert who was extremely happy about the result and secured his spot in the next weekend of finals. Finishing in P2, was Broc Feeney who similarly also qualified for the next round of finals. Finally, in P3, in an unexpected result and after pitstops paid off was Kai Allen, who drove exceptionally well and was also to defend against those behind him.

But after this race, we expected similar results from the next day. Brodie Kosteckis car had been worked on overnight and had been completed, meaning he was able to race in race 29 of the championship. It was a huge ask for him to have success in the next race, but a bad qualifying result was not going to help with him starting in P14. Another driver who we did not expect to be that low was Ryan Wood who started P13 and after Saturday’s race, he would have been looking to try and regain his spot in the next round.

Kostecki's car returns to the pit lane after being worked on overnight at the DJR factory.

In the shootout, it was Broc Feeney who took the top spot, followed by Matt Payne in P2 and Chaz Mostert in P3. It was a good start, with very little going on and some hard racing from the top 5. There were still 5 spots up for grabs in the next round and 8 drivers looking to make their mark.

Will Davison was an early pitstop for a new tyre after an incident with Bryce Fullwood, which would cost Fullwood a pitlane penalty. Similarly, Kostecki and Wood also found themselves doing an early pitstop on lap 6 to try and make some moves in the field, these two were desperate to make up spots. Amongst the minor moments was Fullwood who had a minor collision with a barrier but was able to continue. We saw teammates overtaking each other including Payne overtaking Allen on lap 19.

Nick Percat was our first talk, given he had a broken shock absorber, and the car was to be reapired. He came into the pitlane and by lap 41, he was ready to return to the car and continue his race. This had damaged his overall position on track but had no effect in the finals. An unfortunate 5 second penalty was later given to Richie Stanaway for a driving infringement, but eventually his race would result in him not finishing.

Another driver with a tough race was the hometown hero, James Courtney who was forced to retire after a collision with teammate Anton De Pasquale, who attempted to make a move at turn 11 and instead hit Courtney. De Pasquale received a 15 second penalty for the incident which he claimed was “unfair”.

James Courtney very unimpressed with teammate Anton De Pasquale after crashing into him and being unable to finish the race.

At the end of the day, someone had to win race 29. And for Walkinshaw Andretti United, it was a double race win for their driver Chaz Mostert, taking out race 29 as well. Broc Feeney joined him on the podium again in P2, and another unexpected P3 was Andre Heimgartner.

Chaz Mostert with the double win at the Gold Coast 500.

As for the finals hopes, the 3 eliminated drivers from the final’s series were unfortunately Ryan Wood with a tough weekend on the Gold Coast, Brodie Kostecki who had a decent recovery but just wasn’t enough and Anton De Pasquale after his penalty dropped him down too far to salvage his finals chances.

After that weekend, there was lots to look over and evaluate, especially for the remaining 7 in the finals. At the Penrite Oil Sandown 500, which starts on November 14th, there’s still plenty to play for with only 4 positions in the Grand Final at the BP Adelaide 500.

An exciting weekend ahead at the Sandown 500.