Supercars Championship: 2026 Ipswich Super 440 Race 27 Recap | Brown makes a comeback at Queensland Raceway
- Tayla Purves
- 42 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Photo credit: Will Brown | Instagram
Matthew Payne topped the timesheets once again in Qualifying, his time a 1:08.358, sitting 0.0683 quicker than current rival Brodie Kostecki.
On the second row, Will Brown and Chaz Mostert are paired, the two certain to make an interesting race ahead after their battle during Race 26.
The average speed at Queensland Raceway is estimated to be 165km/h with the top speed hitting around 250km/h with only 49% of full throttle achieved throughout the six turns. Passing opportunities are only available if a driver is to make the right move at the right time; the paperclip circuit remains iconic for a reason.
Race 27 will be a quick dash to the chequered flag; 39 laps and one compulsory stop to be expected.
Rylan Gray's car has been repaired and received an engine change after suffering from a locked exhaust cam, Shell V Power Racing Team doing a beyond fantastic job to get the car repaired and ready for this afternoons race.
After today's earlier race, Shell V Power Racing Team faced a fine and loss of points after receiving a penalty for an unsafe pit release - Kostecki was seen driving through Team 18's pit bay, the team setting up for their own stop, as he went on to win.
As it happened
Payne gets the start over Kostecki heading down to Turn 1 as Mostert and Brown go side by side into Turn 2. The field look switched on and racey, Rylan Gray in the background going off into the dirt.
Kostecki gets the race lead back on Lap 3, the two having a nail biting fight.
Lap 11, David Reynolds and Jayden Ojeda looked to have had a wobble, the two spinning - later stewards released their decision to reward Ojeda with a 15-second time penalty for a driving infringement.
Wildcard entrant Bayley Hall and Jackson Walls got into each other for twenty-first position, the two no stranger to one another's defence driving - a criss cross move and a bit of door rubbing creating excitement for fans.
Lap 18, Kostecki comes into the pit lane to cover off Payne's early strategic stop - a nice and clean stop for the No.17 Shell V Power Racing Mustang.
On Lap 22, Kostecki goes a bit too deep, surrendering positions to Kai Allen, Payne and Brown - a mishap the Western Australian will surely be cranky with.
Chaos continued to unfold for Shell V Power Racing Team, their young-gun Gray goes off into the gravel trap, beaching his No.38 Mustang at Turn 3 after suffering from an outside front lock; the Safety Car making its way out. Only four drivers remain to take their compulsory pit stop for the race at this stage.
The racing resumed on Lap 29 - just ten laps remaining and tensions high. Green flag conditions take off as Penrite Racing teammates launch ahead, Allen leading the field.
Mostert defends off Feeney fiercely, traffic behind causing an awkward spin for James Golding and alleged contact for the mid-field.
Lap 31, Brown goes side by side Payne through Turn 2, suspected damage surfaced on the No.19 Mustang - his car producing some visible smoke, interestingly enough, the smoke is coming from the opposite side impacted from the Brown x Payne battle.
Kostecki pushes on Lap 32, getting the move done on Payne, the current championship leader looking worse for wear as the race comes to a close - a safety car makes its way out once again due to wildcard entrant Ben Gomersall looking to have some damage, effectively ruining Brown's run at Allen.
Racing commenced on Lap 34, Brown clearly eager for the lead, all over the rear of Allen - Kostecki cashing in on their battle, following Brown straight through as Brown gets the lead over Allen.
Allen comes under fire once again, Feeney squeezing through and coming side to side with Kostecki - the No.17 Mustang momentarily losing second place, regaining his previous momentum as blood pressures rise across the country.
With just four laps to go, Waters tries his hand at battling Payne - current championship leader suggesting he has no rear grip left whatsoever; an unfortunate consequence from an early stop.
The field seemed to fall into place, Feeney still pushing hard to catch Kostecki, the No.88 Mustang only +0.554 behind the No.17 Shell V Power Mustang.
Brown flies by the chequered flag, making a remarkable comeback after the last few weeks of misery and lack of pace - fighting his way back to the podium after a twelve month hiatus; finding pace just in time for the end of the Repco Sprint Cup.
Supercars Championship action kicks off Sunday 23rd of August at 10:55am AEST for Boost Mobile Qualifying, followed by the Boost Mobile Top Ten Shootout. Race 28 is scheduled to begin at 3:20pm for a 62-lap stint.
The Full Results
Will Brown
Brodie Kostecki
Broc Feeney
Kai Allen
Chaz Mostert
Matthew Payne
Cameron Waters
David Reynolds
Thomas Randle
Anton De Pasquale
Andre Heimgartner
Aaron Cameron
Jack Le Brocq
Ryan Wood
Cameron Hill
Declan Fraser
Jackson Walls
Macauley Jones
Bayley Hall
Aaron Seton
James Golding
Ben Gomersall
Zach Bates
Jayden Ojeda
Rylan Gray +3 Laps
Cooper Murray +5 Laps
Jobe Stewart +1 Lap
Comments