It was a dominant performance from Red Bull Ampol Racing’s Broc Feeney to win Race 16 of the Repco Supercars Championship at Symmons Plains, Tasmania.
Leading from start to finish, Feeney was untouchable throughout and took full advantage of the failure of his title rivals.
Feeney won the race by 7s from Penrite Racing’s Matt Payne and Kai Allen, each in Ford Mustangs.
While Feeney and Payne bolstered their title aspirations, the same can’t be said for Brodie Kostecki. A brake problem afflicted his Shell V-Power Racing Team ensuring the 2023 champion finished 12th.
Feeney led from the start although Payne was a worthy challenger, but had the second Red Bull Ampol Racing Mustang of Will Brown for company.
If Brown was flying, PremiAir Racing rookie Jayden Ojeda did the opposite after his personal best qualifying result of third, he dropped to 10th off the start.
In what was going to be a familiar battle throughout the 84-lap event, Brown and DEWALT Racing driver Anton De Pasquale engaged in combat for the first time leading to the Red Bull Ampol Racing Mustang touring the Turn 1 grave trap.
Kostecki received a hint of the disappointment to come when his way when there was a coupling problem with his refuelling churn leading to a compromised strategy.
A smart strategy by Penrite Racing elevated Allen to third using the undercut and he remained in this position until the end.
Reigning champion Chaz Mostert was another impressive mover following his poor qualifying performance in 18th to be eighth by the race’s halfway point.
When the pit stops were complete, Feeney had four lapped entries between he and Payne ensuring victory, with Allen completing the rostrum.
The pit stop cycles didn’t aid Brown’s charge thanks to his teammate Feeney holding him up right after taking service to allow De Pasquale in for fourth.
Behind Brown in fifth was Ojeda ahead of LIQUIMOLY Blahst Racing’s Aaron Cameron, Mobil 1 Truck Assist Racing driver Ryan Wood, Mostert and Cam Waters for Monster Castrol Racing.
Jack Le Brocq was the only retirement due to mechanical problems.
The next round of the Repco Supercars Championship is the Darwin Triple Crown on June 19-21.