We’re just two races into the new Supercars season, and already we’ve seen two drivers hit with disqualifications. Brodie Kostecki overcame sickness on Thursday to claim his first win of 2026, holding out Matthew Payne in the opening race of the Melbourne SuperSprint.
But there were dramas for his Dick Johnson Racing teammate Rylan Gray, who was disqualified from the qualifying session for a rule breach. Gray had only qualified in 20th, but was then disqualified from the results completely.
Brodie Kostecki (L) won the opening race in Melbourne, while Rylan Gray became the second driver after Chaz Mostert (R) to be disqualified this season. Image: AAP/Getty
Officials found that DJR had breached technical regulations by leaving masking tape on an airbox temperature sensor, and Gray was forced to start the main race at the back of the pack. “The Shell V-Power Racing Team acknowledges and accepts today’s decision from the Motorsport Australia Stewards regarding Car #38 in Qualifying for Race 5,” DJR said in a statement.
“Masking tape was put on an airbox temperature sensor to protect it while the mount was bonded to the airbox and it was not removed. This was an issue for Car #38 only and an inadvertent oversight by the team.”
To make matters worse, Gray also suffered clutch issues in his Mustang. It was the second disqualification in just two rounds to start the season after defending champ Chaz Mostert was pinged after Race 2 in Sydney.
Mostert was disqualified from the results after the race after stewards found tyre sensors weren’t fitted to his Toyota Supra. Mostert had initially finished 15th, but was wiped from the results for the breach. Walkinshaw TWG Racing were also fined $5000, with $2500 suspended until December 31 so long as the team doesn’t commit the same breach again.
Brodie Kostecki won the Melbourne SuperSprint for his first victory of 2026.
(Getty Images)Brodie Kostecki wins after vomiting during qualifying lap
Meanwhile, Kostecki vomited midway through his flying lap in qualifying, but managed to take pole and then the chequered flag. Kostecki’s win came in a shortened 17-lap race, after Jackson Walls beached his Triple Eight Racing car and forced a lengthy safety car.
“I had a bit of a chuck, but it was a sick lap,” Kastecki joked after his victory. “I hadn’t been feeling too well today, it was unfortunate it happened in qualifying. Those things happen sometimes. It was more difficult getting out of the car than what it was to drive.”
Payne’s second-place finish saw him take the championships lead after four races, going ahead of Red Bull Racing’s Brock Feeney who finished third on Thursday. Kostecki’s win came after he copped a 15-second penalty in Race 3 in Sydney for spinning Aaron Cameron, which dropped him from fourth to 12th in the final race of the weekend.
with AAP