Chaz Mostert went off-track after contact with Kai Allen at Turn 5 during the Ipswich Super440 opener.
Allen got to Mostert’s inside at Turn 4 and ran side-by-side out of Turn 5, but left the Walkinshaw TWG driver no room on corner exit.
The Toyota Supra went all four wheels off the track and lost out to Brodie Kostecki in the process and Matt Payne just a few turns later.
Allen was assessed a five-second penalty, which relegated him to fifth behind Triple Eight duo Will Brown and Broc Feeney.
Speaking post-race, Allen offered apologies to Mostert for the move and to his own Grove Racing team for bombing out of a podium.
“A bit unfortunate, but that’s racing,” said Allen on the Supercars broadcast.
“Obviously, first thing, sorry Mozzie. I got a bit aggressive there.
“At the same time, I feel like I had a really good move at [Turn 4].
“The car was super fast. We did the two tyres and from my side, I was just so locked in to try build a gap because I knew the T8 boys were coming on four tyres, or most likely would.
“I think it was obviously very marginal. We didn’t get away with that one, so I’ll note that down.
“A bit unfortunate to throw a podium away but sometimes that’s racing and it’s no one else’s fault but mine.”
Supercars drivers turned commentators James Courtney and Mark Winterbottom offered Allen some sympathy over the clash.
“I think Kai was in the right here,” said Courtney.
“Chaz staying on the outside of [Turn] 5 is always going to end badly. I think he’s a little bit hard done by here.”
Winterbottom added: “I agree. I’m actually surprised about the penalty for that because that’s 101 Queensland Raceway.
“If someone’s there and they’re at your back wheel you just suddenly escort them off. It’s the fact that Chaz has come to a stop.
“Normally you run side-by-side, you drag a bit of dust and go down to Turn 6.
“I think the fact that Chaz propped up a bit and lost two spots – it’s the outcome, not the offence. I’m on James’ side actually, which is kind of rare.”
While Allen was happy to admit fault, he said he wouldn’t have put himself in that position if he were in Mostert’s shoes.
“For me, I always never go to the outside because I know I’m going to get pushed off. I thought it was interesting,” said Allen.
“Obviously there’s a lot of grip on the outside of Turn 4, so I knew he was going to get the advantage, because I saw him and Will (Brown) do the same thing on Lap 1.
“He ran off into the dirt, that part wasn’t so bad, it was more the initial part when I pushed him onto the kerb as he came out of [Turn] 4, got a bit loose, and that’s what got me the run.
“It’s so hard. You’re racing for sheep stations. We’re all doing the same lap times and as soon as you get an opportunity it’s like a shark when it smells blood.”
Allen will start Saturday afternoon’s second race from fifth while Mostert lines up fourth.
That is scheduled to start at 4:15pm AEST.