Supercars Championship: 2026 Darwin Triple Crown Race 17 Report
- Tayla Purves
- 6 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Photo Credit: Ash Bliss | Trackdown Media
Earlier today, Brodie Kostecki led the field in his Shell V Power Racing No.17 Mustang with a 1:06.038, effectively taking pole position ahead of Anton De Pasquale.
On the second row, Matthew Payne and Cam Waters looked eager to chase down the leaders of the pack.
A mixed up grid was the theme for Race 17 Qualifying, the field within at least a second of one another, ensuring an exciting 35 lap race ahead.
As it happened
Race 17 got underway, Kostecki and Waters getting away beautifully, the fight on between the pair as the field behind fell into line.
A relatively clean start down the field, minimal dirt flying through the air as the first lap at Hidden Valley Raceway came to a close.
Lap 4, Waters proved his eagerness, taking the fastest lap time, aggressively looking for a space to make a move on the race leader.
The race only heated up with speculation of Kostecki potentially bunching the field, effectively slowing the train behind.
The pit window opened on Lap 6, Ryan Wood becoming the first stop of the race and very early at that - he took all right side tyres.
De Pasquale took the same pit strategy as Wood, on Lap 7, getting his stop done early on.
The pit madness began, Kostecki heading into pit lane at the end of Lap 7, his stop consisting of rear tyres only - the left rear taking a heartbeat longer than needed.
The opening laps of the race remained calm, stops being taken strategically - only one compulsory stop and no fuel needed.
Supercars action heated up for the shortest race of the weekend on Lap 11, a three-way battle broke out between Waters, Payne, and Kai Allen - each have not yet taken their compulsory stop.
This battle continued on until Lap 20, Waters took his compulsory stop - commentators nervous for the late choice due to the cooler than expected conditions in the Northern Territory.
On the same lap, Broc Feeney had a cold front tyre lock-up, the No.88 Red Bull Ampol Racing Mustang losing time and track position, pushing him to the back end of the field.
Lap 21, Allen's pit stop saw him lose track position, feeding him into mid-pack chaos as he navigated cold tyres and eager drivers.
With fifteen laps to go, just two drivers remained ahead of the pack and were yet to take their compulsory stop - James Golding and rookie Jackson Walls.
A battle broke out on Turn 5 as Allen pushed the limits and took a beautiful pass on David Reynolds, the No.26 Penrite Mustang charging ahead, creeping up towards the top five, earning himself a notable FireBall Fire Pass.
Uncharacteristically, Kostecki left the door open for Waters on Lap 23, effectively allowing the No.6 Monster Energy Mustang take the lead of Race 17,
As the end of the race nears, battles broke out every which way, Feeney, Thomas Randle, and Zach Bates all fighting towards the mid-pack.
Lap 25, the teammates at Penrite pushed De Pasquale, adding pressure as the No.26 and no.19 Mustang's worked to pass the No.18 Camaro Chevrolet.
Allen continued to late brake, a move looking likely to land the 20-year-old on the podium this afternoon.
Just nine laps remaining, side draft worked perfectly for Allen, while Payne successfully followed suit, each effectively overtaking De Pasquale; their eyes forward to catch Kostecki, who was ahead by just under two seconds.
Behind, Will Brown and Wood maintained a rub and bump, Wood staying close to Brown's rear bumper, the fight taking place just inside of the top ten. The battle fizzled out not long after.
Lap 29, the weird moment between Kostecki and Waters earlier had been addressed - Kostecki allegedly knew how quick Waters was, maintained the knowledge of Allen creeping towards him, and it seems he decided to keep a bit in the tank for the inevitable fight ahead.
The fight was closer than ever, Allen full steam and catching the rear of the No.17. Allen inched closer and closer to Kostecki, finally pouncing and hot all over the rear bumper.
During the tight fight for second step of the podium, Reynodls was seen on the grass, facing the wrong way.
The Penrite Mustangs attacked Kostecki, Allen making way for Payne to follow once again - collectively pushing Kostecki out of podium contention - which didn't remain solid for long, the Shannons Safety Car coming out with two laps remaining; Reynolds trapped at Turn 6.
Reynolds did get away on his own after a small overheating overhaul, his spin now curating an intense sprint to the chequered flag - the green flags waved as Waters searched for his very first victory of the season.
Allen threatened the win, lunging to the outside of Waters, the battle heating up on the last lap; Waters confidently took the win ahead of Allen and Payne.
Championship leader, Feeney kept hold of his 59-point lead, bringing his No.88 Mustang home in fourteenth position. Race 18 begins tomorrow, 3:50pm local time (AEST).
The full results
Cameron Waters 41:19.111
Kai Allen +0.448
Matthew Payne +0.594
Brodie Kostecki +1.381
Will Brown +1.705
Anton De Pasquale +2.204
Chaz Mostert +2.572
Ryan Wood +3.109
Jayden Ojeda +3.772
Macauley Jones +4.569
Andre Heimgartner +4.759
Cameron Hill +5.535
Cooper Murray +5.7.09
Broc Feeney +5.958
Thomas Randle +6.325
Zach Bates +6.512
Aaron Cameron +6.921
James Golding +7.155
Jobe Stewart +7.567
Declan Fraser +7.878
Rylan Gray +8.199
Jackson Walls +8.496
David Reynolds +8.997
Jack Le Brocq +18.270
