Supercars fans are debating the new finals format after Brodie Kostecki, Ryan Wood and Anton De Pasquale were all eliminated on Sunday. Chaz Mostert secured a famous double on the Gold Coast, winning both races to rocket into contention for the overall championship.
The Ford driver backed up a stunning victory on Saturday to again pip championship leader Broc Feeney in a heavyweight battle around the streets of Surfers Paradise. In just 24 hours, Mostert took his win tally for the season from one to three and shot himself into title contention in the new finals format.
Brodie Kostecki was eliminated from the Supercars finals after dramatic scenes on the Gold Coast. Image: AAP/Supercars
The Gold Coast event marked the first weekend of the new finals format, which saw Kostecki, Wood and De Pasquale kicked out of the race to win the championship. Feeney, Mostert, Matt Payne, Cam Waters, Will Brown, Kai Allen and Thomas Randle are the seven drivers remaining with two rounds to go.
It was a bitter blow for Kostecki, who won the championship in 2023. The Ford driver was one of the favourites for the title heading into the finals, but didn’t make it past the ‘quarter-final’ stage after a stunning crash on Saturday.
“We tried something different with strategy and it didn’t quite pay off, didn’t really have the car speed to do it,” he said after Sunday’s race. “But, that’s how this year’s finals format is. It’s been a crazy weekend.
“We’d love to be a part of it going forward, but for us, we’ll just keep doing what we’re doing, try win some races and go have fun for the rest of the year. There’s a few mistakes by myself, obviously on the Friday and then what happened in qualifying (crashing). So, we’ll dig deep and come back as a collective, and hopefully we get some more trophies at the end of the year.”
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Supercars fans divided on new finals format
The finals series continues at the Sandown 500 from November 14, but fans aren’t convinced they like it. Social media was divided with reactions to the new format, and plenty of fans thought it brought a new level of excitement and theatre.
But many traditionalists expressed their disdain, calling for it to be scrapped in favour of a return to the previous format. One person wrote: “Shocking format. Get rid of it.” Another commented: “Please go back to a real championship next year.”
While a third added: “Most embarrassing points system I’ve ever seen.” Another pointed out: “At some point it’s possible that Brock (Feeney) will be the 2025 Supercars champion, without winning a finals race? That’s like winning the FA Cup without being in the final.”
Concerns Supercars finals series could be ‘manipulated’
The new format has also sparked concerns that teams could try to ‘manipulate’ results if they multiple drivers in the finals. “There’s going to be some fun and games and teams will play it to their best advantage, because that’s why we’re here, we’re here to win the championship,” said Grove Racing boss David Cauchi
“Absolutely, teams are going to play games and drivers are going to play games. But I think bring it on and may the best man and team win.”
Erebus boss Barry Ryan said: “As long as Supercars has the balls to make decisions if people manipulate the sport. If they do what NASCAR have done, there’s going to be big fines. You shouldn’t be able to manipulate the sport.”
Chaz Mostert won both races at the Gold Coast 500. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Supercars finals series standings:
Broc Feeney – 3451 points
Eliminated: Brodie Kostecki, Ryan Wood, Anton De Pasquale
with AAP