Speedy Mostert saves his best for Supercars finals

Oliver Caffrey |

Ryan Wood of Walkinshaw Andretti United has landed pole position on the Gold Coast.
Ryan Wood of Walkinshaw Andretti United has landed pole position on the Gold Coast.

Dual Bathurst 1000 winner Chaz Mostert has pulled off a stunning win on the tricky Gold Coast street circuit to begin the inaugural Supercars finals in style.

The Walkinshaw Andretti United ace secured his second win of the season to guarantee he stays in the finals until at least the next round at Sandown.

Starting from fourth on Saturday, Mostert took out the first of two 250km races of the Gold Coast 500, finishing ahead of championship leader Broc Feeney.

Young gun Kai Allen, who entered the finals in 10th, did enough to finish third for a crucial podium.

It was sweet redemption for Mostert, who couldn’t finish at Bathurst and famously had a drink with spectators as soon as his race was ended.

“It’s been an up-and-down year, but we just found our form here right at the right time,” Mostert said.

“I’m so gutted for (WAU teammate) Ryan (Wood), he’s done a mega job all year, and then he did a mega job in qualifying. 

“God this sport is so brutal.

“But we got a fast car, and he can do the job tomorrow, so we’ll be riding him.

“It definitely doesn’t feel easy, you spend half this lap in the air, and you just try to get going.”

Chaz Mostert
Chaz Mostert raises his arms in triumph after clinching the first race at the Gold Coast 500. (PR IMAGE PHOTO)

In a frenetic start to the race, there were three safety cars in the first 25 laps as pole-sitter Wood was sent to the back of the grid with engine trouble.

“Gut-wrenching for everyone,” Wood said.

“Super-early in the race, but felt like I had really good car speed.”

Wood claimed the Top-10 Shootout during a chaotic qualifying session for his second pole of the season.

Dick Johnson Racing ace Brodie Kostecki missed the first race of the round, and reigning Supercars champion Will Brown crashed out during the shootout.

Brown managed to recover and secure an important fifth placing.

Kostecki’s Ford Mustang was off for urgent repairs after smashing into a tyre wall, with four photographers nearby suffering injuries.

The injured photographers were taken to hospital for further evaluation, but were alert and in a stable condition.

Kostecki’s hopes in the inaugural Supercars finals series could be buried early, but the 2023 champion will attempt to be ready in time for Sunday’s race.

Wood, Kostecki and Thomas Randle are the drivers who face elimination from the finals ahead of the Gold Coast finale.

AAP