Supercars – Kostecki and Erebus Motorsport triumph

This last race of the season still had some stakes since, the day before, Brodie Kostecki had won his first crown. Sunday morning, the team title was still up for grabs. Erebus Motorsport could just reach the finish line to take the title against Triple Eight Engineering. The race begins under good auspices since Kostecki took pole position in this last confrontation of the season. The first Triple eight car being that of Feeney placed 5th. Shane van Gisbergen really didn't have a dream weekend for his last time in Supercars. After abandoning the day before following contact in the first lap, the New Zealand giant failed to qualify for the Superpole. He is 15th on the last grid of the year. 

At the green light, Matt Payne (Whole grained Racing) takes the advantage over the new champion. The Mustangs' renewed form continues to be confirmed, with Payne firmly in the lead. In the pack, Shane van Gisbergen begins his comeback but the kiwi is suffering as he has been throughout the year. It is indeed complicated to be conservative with your tires and to attack to gain places in the ranking. He complained about this situation all season. He is unable to get away from his position even though the first third of the race is over. In the lead, Payne continues to control Kostecki and Feeney (Triple Eight Engineering). At the halfway mark, the ranking for the podium is still the same. David Reynolds, Payne's teammate at Grove racing, managed to take 3rd place from Kostecki who put up no resistance.

Double retirement for van Gisbergen this weekend

Shane van Gisbergen saw his race end with 22 laps to go. The New Zealander ends his history in Supercars, a championship which allowed him to build his prize list, with a retirement following a technical problem (brake problem). It’s a slightly bitter van Gisbergen who leaves Supercars: “ I've been preparing for this for several weeks. It wasn't a great year for me. I can't wait to move on to something new and be able to enjoy driving cool cars again. I'm not sad tonight, I'll even say I'm excited about the future. "

The end of the race will no longer be disrupted and Matt Payne wins his first career race in Supercars. He wins ahead of Feeney and Reynolds. Brodie Kostecki crossed the finish line in 8th place, which was enough for Erebus Motorsport to win its first Supercars title. The success is complete for Betty Klimenko's small team which wins the total this season. In the final standings, Kostecki is ahead of the two Triple Eight drivers: van Gisbergen and Feeney. Erebus is champion ahead of Triple Eight and Brad Jones Racing. 

Celebrating in true champion style 💨

Brodie Kostecki is the 2023 Repco Australia Supercars Champion!!! #RepcoSC #Supercars pic.twitter.com/cdERTsc1Ck

— Supercars (@supercars) November 26, 2023

One thing is certain, the Australian championship will have a very different look next year with the departure of SvG. Teams will also have new drivers with new ambitions to satisfy. 2024 already looks very exciting.

Supercars – Race Results

First victory for rookie Matt Payne ©Supercars

Supercars – Final standings for the 2023 season

Brodie Kostecki will wear number 1 to defend his title in 2024. ©Supercars