Brodie Kostecki drives through Team 18’s pit box. Image: Fox Sports
Kostecki enjoyed a strong weekend at Queensland Raceway, emerging as the top points scorer for the round with a win and two second places.
But his run to victory in the Saturday opener included a hairy moment as he exited his pit box following his compulsory stop.
Kostecki blasted through Team 18’s bay as that squad was setting up to service Anton De Pasquale, almost resulting in contact with its car controller Mitch Croke.
Onboard footage from Kostecki’s car also showed a crew member crossing the Team 18 pit bay moments before the DJR Ford drove through.
DJR was docked $3000 and 30 teams’ championship points for the incident, leaving Kostecki’s win to stand.
“I just followed instructions from [DJR team manager and car controller] Tom [Moore],” said Kostecki.
“I saw Tom wave to those guys and get four nods from the guys with guns.
“The only guy that didn’t give a nod in the end, I saw [later] from the camera and the TV, was the guy that was crouched down looking the wrong way in pit lane.
“That happened to be Mitch. I’m glad that nothing happened. It would have been pretty awkward because he’s got a brother (Shane) that works in our team as well.
“It could have been a brawl, like a brotherly brawl, which would have been pretty cool!
“But I’m just glad that nothing happened and it’s one of those things sometimes, it’s too close for comfort.
“I saw the four signals and just followed what Tom said.”
Moore took full responsibility for the situation.
“I went over there and apologised to those guys straight away because obviously Mitch wasn’t stoked about it, as you can imagine,” he said.
“It’s my fault. I should have erred on the side of caution and sent Brodie around.
“Obviously it’s a super tight pit lane. In that way, it would have almost been more dangerous to try and squeeze out between the two pit crews.
“But the rule is basically unless you have complete understanding between the teams, you shouldn’t do it.
“I thought I had understanding. It was a judgment call that in hindsight wasn’t correct.
“It’s unfortunate because I think the team operationally was pretty perfect this weekend in pit lane apart from that.”
The weekend’s results lifted DJR above Team 18 in the teams’ championship, ensuring the Ford squad leapfrogs ahead in pit lane for the upcoming AirTouch 500 at The Bend.