![\"DJR](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Brodie-Kostecki-DJR.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBrodie Kostecki at Symmons Plains. Image: InSyde Media <\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBrodie Kostecki at Symmons Plains. Image: InSyde Media <\/p>\n
Kostecki was hit from behind by David Reynolds at the hairpin during the second Saturday race, leaving the championship contender to limp home last.<\/p>\n
While the team worked deep into Saturday night to repair the car, Kostecki suspected lingering damage from the incident was behind his lacklustre Sunday performance.<\/p>\n
Kostecki qualified fifth but could manage no better than 12th in the race, complaining of ill-handling.<\/p>\n
DJR co-owner Ryan Story said the team will fit a new rear chassis clip to Kostecki\u2019s Mustang ahead of the Darwin Triple Crown.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rear clip, we suspect when we get it crack tested, it\u2019ll have some hairline fractures in a couple of tubes,\u201d Story said on PG & The Doc.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen that car was back on track the next day, pretty early into that quali stint, Brodie said \u2018there\u2019s something not quite right here\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll put a new rear clip on the car for Darwin and that rear clip will get sent away to get crack tested and we\u2019ll understand the extent of that damage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kostecki\u2019s Sunday race was also compromised by a refuelling issue in his first pit stop that necessitated an economy run in the second stint.<\/p>\n
Story said his team has identified the cause of that problem, which has also tripped up others since the introduction of the fuel churns at the start of last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cOther teams have had similar issues with vapour lock with those churns, as recently as the New Zealand events,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to be really careful with how you hold them and how you position them and have to ensure you get a clean fit with the dry locks when you mount the churn to the car.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t take much to be out, but holding it in the right position is critical.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kostecki sits third in the championship after five rounds, 173 points adrift of leader Broc Feeney.<\/p>\n