{"id":375894,"date":"2026-04-12T12:44:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T12:44:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/375894\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T12:44:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T12:44:09","slug":"kostecki-and-wood-triumph-in-new-zealand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/375894\/","title":{"rendered":"Kostecki and Wood triumph in New Zealand"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brodie Kostecki (Ford Mustang #17 \u2013 Dick Johnson Racing) is in top form. Already the big winner the previous weekend in Melbourne, the DJR driver confirmed his form on Saturday morning by winning from pole position in a particularly exciting Race 8. The return to New Zealand, on the narrow Taupo circuit, provided plenty of action and battles throughout the field.<\/p>\n

At the front, Kostecki quickly had to fend off attacks from a rampant and vengeful Broc Feeney (Ford Mustang #88 \u2013 Triple Eight Engineering) after his car was destroyed in the final race at Albert Park. Feeney also had to contend with Matt Payne (Ford Mustang #19 \u2013 Whole grained<\/a> Racing) looking to redeem themselves after a lackluster start to the season. Behind them, Will Brown (Ford Mustang #888), Feeney’s teammate at Triple Eight, is also posing a threat to reigning champion Chaz Mostert, driving the other Walkinshaw TGW Supra.<\/p>\n

Feeney hampered by engine problems<\/p>\n

Without ever building a decisive lead, Kostecki managed to hold off Feeney. Midway through the race, Will Brown found an opening on his teammate and took second place, achieving his best provisional result of the season. But Broc Feeney suffered unexplained engine cut-outs which caused him to drop down the standings.<\/p>\n

After the pit stops, Kostecki maintained his lead, but had to dig deep against a Will Brown who had returned to his best form. The other significant event came from the Toyota<\/a> Supra of Mostert and Wood. The Japanese coupes, entered this season, already seem to have gained the upper hand \u2014 especially in the hands of the Walkinshaw TGW drivers \u2014 over the struggling Chevrolet Camaros, whose best representative only finishes in eighth place.<\/p>\n

Back in contention, Feeney overtook both Supras of Wood and Mostert to temporarily move back onto the podium, but Ryan Wood responded and regained the lead. Ultimately, Feeney had to settle for fifth place, overtaken late in the race by Payne. The final two laps featured a spectacular duel between Wood and Brown, while Kostecki secured a comfortable victory (+15 seconds). With this win at Taupo, he solidified his lead in a championship that is more competitive than ever.<\/p>\n

Ryan Wood gives Toyota its first success<\/p>\n

The young driver got his revenge in the second race. At 22, Ryan Wood secured his first Supercars victory and gave Toyota its first win in the discipline, just nine races after the Japanese manufacturer’s debut.<\/p>\n

From the opening laps, Wood had to fend off attacks from the two Triple Eight drivers, who were particularly aggressive on the winding New Zealand circuit. Behind them, Kostecki, the previous day’s winner, remained in contention in fourth position. Gradually, Wood and Brown increased their lead over the Feeney-Kostecki duo.<\/p>\n

Just outside the top five, Anton De Pasquale (Chevrolet Camaro #18 \u2013 Team 18) is trying to salvage some pride for the Camaros by battling with Chaz Mostert, who is having less success than his teammate this weekend. With 26 laps to go, Wood still leads ahead of Brown and Mostert, while Feeney drops back to fourth under pressure from Kostecki.<\/p>\n

The final flurry of saves did nothing to alter the hierarchy: Ryan Wood prevailed, securing a resounding victory on home soil. This highlights the wealth of young talent in the Australian league.<\/p>\n

Wood ultimately prevailed ahead of Feeney and Mostert, while Brown finished just off the podium. In the championship standings, Brodie Kostecki maintained his lead over Feeney and Matt Payne, who were separated by a narrow margin.<\/p>\n

There will be no race on Sunday, but the paddock is not leaving New Zealand: the Christchurch round is already scheduled for next week.<\/p>\n

Supercars – Championship standings<\/p>\n

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