Current rep Supercars Championship leader Brodie Kostecki has exacted revenge on Kai Allen after scoring victory in Race 11 at Ruapuna.
In a reverse of roles from Race 10, Kostecki held off Allen in thrilling battle lasting the final 17-laps of the race.
Despite holding a two-tyre advantage after changing four at his pit stop, Allen was unable to do anything about Kostecki as the 2023 champion was masterful in his defence.
Behind, Mobil 1 Truck Assist Racing’s Ryan Wood was unable to close the gap to the leading two and just held off the Red Bull Ampol Racing Mustang of Will Brown for the final podium spot.
Kostecki led the way from pole, with Wood making the best jump to go from sixth to third, while Matt Payne and Aaron Cameron were the biggest losers.
The leaders settled as Kostecki led Allen and Wood just as contact back in the pack resulted in Cam Hill receiving steering damage to his Brad Jones Racing Supra resulting in the loss of six laps.
Hill’s teammate Andre Heimgartner also received the same damage and margin.
Strategy came into play when Kostecki and Allen entered the pits at the same time, with the Shell V-Power Racing Team not expecting its driver.
Any delay was offset by Penrite Racing electing to change four tyres on Allen’s Mustang, but this advantage wasn’t able to be utilised.
While the pair of leaders pitted, Penrite Racing had an each way bet by leaving Payne out until lap 24 when he re-joined the circuit behind his teammate and Kostecki.
However, the right-rear wheel was not tightened on Payne’s Mustang and it departed company halfway through the late leading to a lowly 19th.
Another drama was James Golding crashing into the wall entering pit lane and although he recovered, Macauley Jones was required to have some quick reactions to avoid the Mustang.
Big movers in the pack included Anton De Pasquale to sixth, Cam Waters to eighth and Rylan Gray up to 10th.
While Allen tried in vain to find a way through on Kostecki, but failed as Wood rounded out the podium ahead of Brown.
Teammate Broc Feeney was next in fifth ahead of De Pasquale, Waters, Jayden Ojeda for his personal best finish, Cameron and Gray.
Race 12 is due to start at 4:15pm NZST/2:15pm AEST.